Gary Sinise Explains Disney’s Role in the ‘Snowball Express’
Last weekend, hundreds of Gold Star families boarded the Snowball Express to head to Walt Disney World.
Since 2018, Disney and the Gary Sinise Foundation have teamed up to give more than 23,000 children of fallen military heroes and fallen first responders a weekend of healing at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Photo: Gary Sinise Foundation
As amazing as it sounds, the entire tradition began with a letter.
“During the Iraq war, U.S. Army Private First-Class Jesse Givens gave his life for our country and left a letter [to his wife] saying, ‘if anything happens to me, take the kids to Disneyland.’ And that was the snowflake that started this snowball rolling,” Sinise explains.
“And then it turned into a great effort in that first year, and that effort has continued for 20 years now and helped a lot of young children through very, very difficult times. [Private Givens] wanted to help his children through a difficult time by going to a happy place and letting them remember that he was right there with them, and that’s the way it is for every single family.”
The History of Snowball Express
Sinise actually got involved in the Snowball Express in 2007. After being invited to an event in Anaheim, the actor met with Bob Iger to discuss the program.
Photo: Disney
“I remember going to Disney in LA and having a meeting with Bob Iger and telling him about ‘Snowball Express,’ and pitching the idea that we would love to bring this event to Disney World. But of course, we’re talking about over a thousand kids and all these volunteers. I mean, it was a massive event. So of course, we had to have Disney really endorse it, embrace it, and become a part of it,” Sinise explained.
Photo: Disney
“He saw I was very passionate about trying to just tell how important this was to the kids and what it was doing for the kids. Well, of course, that’s Disney’s thing, right? Happy kids is Disney’s thing — it’s in their wheelhouse. So, it made a lot of sense. And when Bob said green light, a lot of things started to roll.”
Community and Comfort
In 2018, Walt Disney World hosted its first Snowball Express retreat. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of over 1,000 Cast Members, Gold Star families can enjoy a week of healing, community, and comfort.
Photo: Disney
“That’s the whole point of ‘Snowball.’ It was always that. Yeah, let’s have some fun. But let’s put these kids together with other kids who are going through the same thing… show them they’re not alone in what they’re going through. And that’s the best part about it. That’s the most helpful part about ‘Snowball,'” Sinise continued.
The Walk of Gratitude
Reflecting on the event, the actor admits that one activity stands out above the others — the Walk of Gratitude.
Photo: Disney
The yearly tradition sees Gold Star families write a message to their fallen hero on a scroll, which is then placed into a cauldron in front of Cinderella Castle.
After the ringing of bells, the scrolls are sent skyward toward heaven.
Photo: Disney
“It’s all about just happy kids to me. The ‘Walk of Gratitude,’ is one of the most significant parts of the event, for the kids to walk down Main Street U.S.A. to all the cheering people that got up in the middle of the night and came over to support the kids, that’s very moving. I love being up there with Mickey Mouse and talking to the kids and then firing off the fireworks and letting them play.”
Photo: MickeyBlog
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