Each December, actor Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation, in collaboration with partners such as American Airlines, host the annual Snowball Express: a five-day retreat at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida for children of fallen U.S. service members and their surviving parent or guardian. What began as a smaller program has grown so that in recent years the event has welcomed more than 1,700 children and their families in a single year, all expenses (airfare, lodging, local transportation, meals) covered by the foundation and its sponsors.
Beyond simply offering “a fun trip”, this gathering serves an important role in community-healing and remembrance. Families who’ve lost a loved one in service have the chance to connect with peers who understand their loss, participate in memorial rituals (such as the “Walk of Gratitude” where children write messages on behalf of their fallen hero) and also just experience joy together in the magic and support of Disney. Sinise has described the event as helping children recognize that “they’re not alone” in their journey, while giving them memories of hope, laughter and togetherness in the midst of loss.