Gary Sinise Flies 1,000 Kids Of Fallen U.S. Soldiers To Disney World - Let's Applaud Him

May 22, 2019 by apost team

Gary Sinise has a passion for veterans and those who are currently serving in the military. He recently made 1,000 children very happy by giving them an early Christmas present.

In total, over 1,700 family members were able to explore Disney while enjoying time together for Christmas. The trip was called the Snowball Express because it was a quick trip and because it featured several winter activities that the families enjoyed. The Snowball Express program is the brainchild of Gary Sinise.

He wanted to make the holiday season fun and exciting for the spouses and the children of soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty or as a result of injuries sustained while serving the country.

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Everyone gathered together to load on to 15 planes that were headed to Orlando, FL. The families would spend five days in Orlando without paying anything at all. While there, the families enjoyed the rides and met the Disney characters who met them with open arms and hugs. The families departed from all across the country.

In Chicago, they were sent off by other passengers and employees with clapping hands and praises. Families who departed from Los Angeles got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus before they boarded the planes. Santa also had presents for the children who were leaving and took pictures with the families.

This was a special trip for the children who were able to go because they have lost at least one parent who served the country. Some children have lost both parents and were with other family members on the trip. Some of the soldiers died from illnesses that they contracted while serving the country, and some soldiers took their own lives because they could no longer handle the pain either physically or mentally.

Gary Sinise wanted to ensure that these children had a Christmas that they wouldn't forget. He knew that they needed something to smile about and that Disney offers the smiles and the fun that children often desire.

Families boarding the planes in Nashville were greeted by other passengers singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" along with a military salute. There were also red, white, and blue balloons around the airport and patriotic banners for the families to see. Some of the passengers recorded the events in the airports and posted what happened on social media sites for other people to see.

Many of the people who saw these children and their family members boarding the planes had a few tears in their eyes. It was a beautiful sight to see as they knew that these children would be able to enjoy something for Christmas that they might not otherwise be able to experience.

Gary Sinise took over the Snowball Express program in 2017, but he has donated money and time to the program for several years so that military families could enjoy events like this. He wants families to know that there is support available to help them heal from the wounds of losing a soldier. Another sponsor is American Airlines.

One mother enjoyed five days without crying since she lost her husband. There were times when she wanted to shed a few tears, but she knew that her husband would want her to smile and enjoy being at Disney. She was able to tour Disney with her eight-year-old daughter who was also able to have a few days without crying. Another mother went on the trip last year and was surprised at how well her child did.

Watch the video below to learn more about the event:

They were able to spend a few days together while celebrating the holiday without worrying about what they would be doing or worrying about holding it together around other people who have also lost a soldier. Some of the families who went on the trip bonded together and continued their new friendships after they got home, creating a support system like none other.

You can watch Gary Sinise talk about his foundation in the video below:

What did you think of this heartwarming foundation? Do you know of other celebrities' charity work? Let us know and don't forget to show this story to your friends and family to spread the love and kindness!