Photo: Gary Sinese Foundation/Twitter
ActorGary Sinise, who famously played Lt. Dan Taylor in 1994’sForrest GumpwithTom Hanks, treated about 1,000 children of fallen military members to an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World for the holiday season.
Through his nonprofit, theGary Sinise Foundation, and a partnership with American Airlines, Sinise invited more than 1,700 Gold Star family members to the world-famous theme park last week, according toWKMG.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of these families,” the 64-year-old actor told the outlet. “I love them and I want to just do something to help them through.”
Families who attended the trip came from 87 cities around the country, and after a four-day vacation, the families returned home on Dec. 11, WKMG reported. They were treated to a concert starring Sinise and his rock band on the last day.
“The important ingredient is that these kids meet each other and they know they’re not alone,” Sinise said. “They make friendships that last a lifetime.”
Snowball Express.Gary Sinese Foundation/Twitter
The Gary Sinise Foundation raises $30 million annually, 90 percent of which goes toward the organization’s programs, like building specially adapted smart homes for severely disabled vets and bringing military families to Disney World, the actor previously toldPEOPLE.
Sinise’s grandfather served in WWI, and two of his uncles fought in WWII. His father participated in the Korean War, and he said he learned about the Vietnam War from his brothers-in-law. After starring inForrest Gump, Sinise made appearances at military conventions and later full USO tours, which helped lead to the founding of his nonprofit in 2011 to raise money for vets and their families.
Gary Sinese Foundation/Twitter
source: people.com
