The Gary Sinise Foundation is hosting its annual gathering for families who have lost a loved one in the military at Walt Disney World this week.
Snowball Express 2025
The foundation honors the families of fallen military members and first responders with year-round Snowball Express programming. The annual retreat is a five-day experience of “healing, remembrance, and fun” held at Walt Disney World during the holiday season.
Families honor their fallen loved ones, connect with each other, and participate in workshops to process their grief and move forward.
This year was the 20th event and began on December 7. The Gary Sinise Foundation wrote on Facebook, “The first day of our Snowball Express annual event is underway! Families of fallen military heroes arrived in Orlando, welcomed with open arms as they begin a week of healing, connection, and creating new memories together at Walt Disney World Resort.”
American Airlines partnered with the foundation to donate 16 charter aircraft and millions of AAdvantage miles to send more than 2,600 family members to Walt Disney World, all-expenses-paid. Families traveled from 29 cities around the world.
Sinise said on his own Facebook page that the event “got off to a great start yesterday at airports around the country.” He was at Nashville International Airport to wish families well on their journey.
On Monday, kids learned yo-yo tricks from two time world champion Gentry Stein while adults relaxed in a coffee lounge.
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