Every Year, Actor Gary Sinise Takes Over 1,000 Veterans’ Families to Disney World for Free in an Emotional Five-Day Retreat
There are stories in Hollywood that go far beyond the glitz of premieres and red carpets, and Gary Sinise’s legacy is one of them. While many actors are remembered for their roles, Sinise is remembered for his heart. Every December, when most of the world is preparing for the holidays, he and his foundation quietly make magic happen for families who carry the deepest scars of sacrifice. His program, known as Snowball Express, brings thousands of Gold Star families—those who have lost a parent, spouse, or child in military service—to Disney World for a week filled with healing, laughter, and remembrance.
It’s easy to think of a Disney vacation as pure entertainment, but for these families, it is so much more. Many of the children attending have grown up without a father or mother, and many of the spouses live each day with the weight of absence. The trip provides a chance not just to escape but to bond with others who understand, to create new memories while honoring those who are missing. In 2024 alone, more than 1,700 children, surviving spouses, and guardians were brought to Orlando through this effort. Since 2017, when Snowball Express was folded into the Gary Sinise Foundation, it has grown into a reliable December tradition for families who often feel forgotten during the holidays.
Sinise himself is no stranger to the military community. His breakout role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump gave him a deep connection with veterans and their struggles, but what he did with that connection is what defines him. He didn’t stop at empathy; he turned it into action. The Gary Sinise Foundation has spent years funding homes for wounded warriors, programs for first responders, and support systems for military families. Snowball Express, however, may be one of the most personal and emotionally resonant projects he has ever championed.
The retreat is carefully designed to be both joyful and healing. Families are flown in from across the country, often on planes decorated with festive cheer, greeted with music and volunteers who make them feel like honored guests. At Disney World, they are treated to parades, character meet-and-greets, shows, and the simple thrill of being together in a place built on imagination. But woven into the fun are solemn moments: remembrance ceremonies where the names and photos of fallen loved ones are displayed, giving children and spouses space to share their grief openly, surrounded by others who know that same pain. It is a balance of joy and sorrow, a reminder that both can exist side by side.
For many children, it is the first time they have been in a community of peers who truly understand what it means to lose a parent in service. That shared understanding is powerful. They form friendships, talk about their stories, and in doing so, find comfort in knowing they are not alone. For parents, the retreat offers the chance to breathe, to watch their kids smile, and to connect with other adults who have walked the same difficult path.
Gary Sinise is always present at the event, not as a celebrity, but as a host who hugs children, listens to stories, and stands quietly with families during ceremonies. His presence is genuine. He has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most dedicated supporters of the military, and what sets him apart is that he shows up consistently. For the families, his presence is a symbol that their loved one’s sacrifice has not been forgotten, that their grief is seen, and that their healing matters.
What makes the annual Snowball Express trip so moving is how it transforms grief into celebration. These families arrive carrying the weight of loss, and while the loss does not disappear, it is softened by new experiences—watching fireworks over Cinderella’s castle, laughing on a roller coaster, sharing meals with new friends. By the time they leave, they carry not just their grief but also new memories of joy, courage, and connection. That’s the magic Gary Sinise has been creating year after year.
It’s also important to see the broader message behind this event. In a world where veterans’ families often struggle with isolation, financial hardship, or the feeling of being left behind, Snowball Express sends a clear signal: you are not forgotten. The fact that this happens every single year, on such a large scale, is a testament to the consistency and commitment of the Gary Sinise Foundation. It is not a one-time gesture; it is a tradition that families can count on. That reliability is what makes the difference.
Stories from past events highlight just how impactful it is. A young boy, whose father was killed overseas, once said the trip made him feel like he could be a kid again, even if just for a week. A widow shared that it was the first time she didn’t feel alone during Christmas since her husband’s death. These testimonies are reminders that the retreat is not just about fun at Disney—it is about restoring pieces of life that loss has taken away.
Gary Sinise himself has spoken often about why he does it. For him, it is not charity, but a duty. He has said that the men and women who serve give everything, and their families bear that burden too. To offer them joy, comfort, and community is the least he can do. His humility makes the gesture even more profound, because it never feels performative. It feels like love in action.
In today’s fast-moving culture, where celebrity news often centers on scandal or spectacle, stories like this stand out. They remind us of the power of kindness, of using influence and resources not for personal gain but to lift others. Gary Sinise may be a famous actor, but in the eyes of the families he supports, he is something far more valuable: a man who chooses to stand with them in their hardest times.
As another December approaches, thousands of families know they will once again be invited to Orlando, to gather, to laugh, to cry, and to heal. For them, Snowball Express is more than a retreat—it is hope wrapped in holiday lights, proof that even in loss, joy can still be found. And for the rest of us, it is a reminder that the greatest roles we can play in life are not on screens or stages, but in the lives of others.