WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.,
Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary
Sinise Foundation is excited to announce Snowball Express is now an
official program of their organization. Snowball Express began 12
years ago, in 2006, and is dedicated to serving the children of our
fallen heroes and Gold Star families. Gary
Sinise has personally supported their efforts for the past
11 years, and since the Foundation's inception in 2011 it has
supported Snowball Express through its Relief & Resiliency
Outreach initiative.
"From our first deployments to Afghanistan just after the attacks on
9/11 we have seen thousands of our military service members
give their lives defending our country. Heroes all," said
Sinise. "Sadly, there are also many unsung heroes; the families,
spouses and children who they leave behind. I believe we can never
do enough for these families, but we can always try to do a little
more to ensure they know that we will never forget nor take for
granted the sacrifices of their fallen heroes. Through the
generosity of the American people who support Gary Sinise
Foundation and our efforts to honor the needs of our defenders,
Snowball Express will now have the opportunity to grow stronger as
a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, continuing to bring hope
and new memories to even more children and families throughout the
country in the coming years. My thanks go out to all the great
Americans who have given of themselves to make Snowball Express
what it is today and I look forward to wonderful days ahead for
these special children."
In addition to community driven events that take place
throughout the year, the program will continue to host their annual
four-day experience where they bring nearly 2,000 Gold Star family
members from all around the world. The families participate in fun
activities, sporting events, dances, amusement parks, a performance
by Gary Sinise & the Lt.
Dan Band, as well as exercises for
community bonding and emotional healing.
Gary Sinise Foundation's official airline partner, American
Airlines, will continue as the presenting sponsor of Snowball
Express, donating a fleet of charter flights to bring the families
of the fallen together each year. The annual event would not be
possible without American Airline's generous contribution.
"For 12 years Snowball Express has been a favorite among the
American team and I am proud to work with so many generous
colleagues, not only those who donate their time to fly and serve
the families in the air, but those who spend countless hours
coordinating gate-side sendoffs in scores of airports around our
system and arranging a first class arrival experience," said
Captain Jim Palmersheim, who leads
Military and Veterans Programs at American Airlines, and is a Gary
Sinise Foundation board member, and former Snowball Express board
member. "Snowball Express is an impressive event that has grown
larger and larger each year and it is our deep privilege to
continue honoring these Gold Star families by partnering with
Gary Sinise as Snowball becomes a
program of Gary Sinise Foundation."
Since 2006, the mission of Snowball Express has been a simple,
yet profoundly important one: Providing hope and new happy memories
to the children of military fallen heroes who have died while on
active duty since 9/11. Nationally, Snowball Express provides
comprehensive support programs for Gold Star families that are
focused on transition and connections to community resources,
healing and wellness, peer engagement, education and
personal/professional development programs.
"Snowball Express is proud and excited to become an official
program of the Gary Sinise Foundation and to continue our
tremendous partnership with American Airlines," said Francis "Buck"
Kern, Executive Director for Snowball Express. "Gary has been an
exceptional partner of our programs since we began twelve years
ago. His personal support of our programs, his commitment and love
for the children and families we serve, and the love and respect
that our families have for Gary, make this change a perfect fit.
Gary is known for saying "we can always do a little more." I
believe that together, we will do a lot more to serve and
support the children and families of America's fallen military
heroes."
The Gary Sinise Foundation is committed to expanding the
program's outreach while continuing their wonderful traditions, all
which directly benefit thousands of families who have made the
ultimate sacrifice. Further details and exciting updates will be
announced in early 2018.
About the Gary Sinise Foundation:
The Gary Sinise Foundation honors America's defenders, veterans,
first responders, their families and those in need. Through its
R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting
Empowerment), specially adapted smart homes are being
constructed for severely wounded veterans and first responders
nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind home is customized to ease the
everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family, and caregivers.
Other programs include Emergency Relief Fund, Invincible
Spirit Festivals, Gary Sinise
& the Lt. Dan Band,
Arts & Entertainment Outreach, Serving Heroes,
and First Responders Outreach. Soaring Valor is
sending WWII veterans to The National WWII Museum and documenting
their first-hand accounts of the war. Its newest program,
Snowball Express serves children of our fallen heroes and
Gold Star families. For more information, please visit
www.garysinisefoundation.org.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/snowball-express-event-supporting-children-of-fallen-military-heroes-officially-becomes-a-gary-sinise-foundation-program-300572310.html
SOURCE Gary Sinise Foundation