Set up by one of the stars of Forrest Gump, this charity has taken 1,000 children of fallen servicemen and women to Disney World.
The Gary Sinise Foundation operates annual holidays which take in hundreds of “Gold Star Children” along with their surviving family members from across the country, on a special five-day trip.
Over 1,750 relatives of military heroes were flown over to Orlando for the experience of their dreams this year.
Sinise announced this year’s trip on his Twitter account with a photo of families on board just before the plane took off.
The 64-year-old said:
“Today begins our GSF Snowball Express #14. Over 1000 Gold Star Children travel with surviving parent or guardian, over 1,750 in all, via our travel partner @AmericanAir to Disney World as part of our @GarySiniseFound Snowball Express program.”
While posting a short video of him welcoming a child on board, he added:
“This charter left Los Angeles this morning with 91 kids, 176 in all, and I got to take these photos with them before they left. I’ll join up in a few days. Have fun kids! We love you!”
Sinise famouly played Forrest Gump’s commanding officer Lieutenant Dan Taylor has been working with the Snowball Express for over a decade as well as performing for the children with his Lt. Dan Band.
Four years later, in 2011, he then created the Gary Sinise Foundation which took over the responsibility for the Snowball Express just two years ago.