From Our Front Lines

The Gary Sinise Foundation (homepage link) was honored to welcome nearly 1,000 surviving children and spouses/guardians of our nation’s Fallen First Responders to this year’s Snowball Express annual event. Known to families as “Disney in December,” this event is a magical and heartfelt experience filled with community, connection, and holiday spirit.

This holiday season, the Gary Sinise Foundation proudly welcomed more than 1,700 children and surviving spouses/guardians of our nation’s fallen military heroes to Orlando, Florida, for our Snowball Express annual event. Across five unforgettable days, these special families found healing, joy, and connection through experiences uniquely designed to honor their loved ones while creating new cherished memories.

Since 2018, the Gary Sinise Foundation has partnered with Owens Corning and the Owens Corning Foundation to provide life changing support for our severely wounded veterans and first responders through our custom home building program, R.I.S.E. This collaboration has grown substantially over the years, showcasing Owens Corning’s unwavering dedication to these heroes and their families.

For seven consecutive years, the Gary Sinise Foundation has proudly maintained a perfect 4 out of 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, the most reputable charity assessment organization.

In the heart of New York City, the memory of 9/11 resonates deeply, especially within service communities. This year, Gary Sinise, through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Serving Heroes program, traveled with his team to share meals and moments of reflection with those who sacrifice so much for the safety of others.

Our nation’s veterans and first responders often struggle under the crushing weight of trauma, something we call “the invisible wounds” of war and service. With a suicide rate of twice the civilian population, our frontline heroes often face their mental health struggles in shame and silence. A recent participant shared his powerful story with us. Warning to Readers: This story contains graphic descriptions.

Honor, Gratitude, and Rock & Roll. Every Lt. Dan Band concert is a personal reminder of America’s gratitude for our heroes. Thank you for allowing us to be your conduit of love and appreciation for those who serve and sacrifice in freedom’s defense.

Visiting the real Lt. Dan's at Brooke Army Medical Center. Plus a surprise celebration for Gary's Birthday!

How a young man's dream became a legacy spanning 50 years.

Supporting and uplifting our First Responders is an integral part of the mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation. This past week, the Foundation was honored to host more than 1,000 children and spouses/guardians of our fallen First Responder heroes for their very first Snowball Express "Disney in December" Event.