Gary Sinise Foundation Snowball Express Brings Healing to 1,600+ Military Families at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort once again hosted the Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express — a five-day healing retreat for children and surviving spouses of fallen military service members and first responders — welcoming more than 1,700 family members from over 90 cities in December 2024. The program traces its origins to a letter written in 2003 by U.S. Army Private First-Class Jesse Givens before his fatal deployment to Iraq, in which he wished for his family to visit Disney Parks. Since moving to Walt Disney World in 2018, more than 23,000 children have participated.
Walt Disney World Resort partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation to host the annual Snowball Express healing retreat for families of fallen military service members and first responders — a tradition that has welcomed more than 23,000 children and their surviving guardians since launching at Disney in 2018. The program traces its origins to a 2003 letter written by U.S. Army Private First-Class Jesse Givens before his fatal deployment to Iraq, in which he expressed a wish for his family to visit Disney Parks. That wish became the foundation for one of the most meaningful veteran family programs in the country.
Key Details
- Program: Snowball Express — annual healing retreat for Gold Star families, hosted by the Gary Sinise Foundation
- 2025 Dates: December 7–10, 2024 (military families); December 13–16, 2024 (first responder families)
- Scale: More than 1,700 family members from 90+ cities, including overseas participants
- Walk of Gratitude: December 9, Magic Kingdom — nearly 1,000 Disney VoluntEARS cheering families at sunrise
- Origin: Jesse Givens' 2003 letter; first Disney visit 2006 at Disneyland Resort; Gary Sinise joined 2007; Gary Sinise Foundation took over 2017
- Cumulative Reach: More than 23,000 children since 2018 at Walt Disney World
The Letter That Started It All
The story of Snowball Express begins with a single act of love. In 2003, U.S. Army Private First-Class Jesse Givens wrote a heartfelt letter to his wife and children before deploying to Iraq. In it, he shared one simple wish: to take their children to Disneyland if he did not return. His son was just 5 years old when Jesse gave his life during Operation Iraqi Freedom. That letter became a symbol of hope and the seed of what would become Snowball Express.
In 2006, Jesse's wish came true when his family joined other Gold Star families for a special visit to Disneyland Resort — the official start of Snowball Express. The following year, actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise learned about the program and joined the mission, performing with his Lt. Dan Band for the families and marking the beginning of nearly two decades of support.
In 2017, the Gary Sinise Foundation officially took Snowball Express under its umbrella, and in 2018, the annual retreat expanded to Walt Disney World Resort — where hundreds of families now gather each December for a holiday experience rooted in hope, healing, and Disney magic.
The Walk of Gratitude at Magic Kingdom
The emotional centerpiece of the 2025 Snowball Express was the Walk of Gratitude, held at sunrise on December 9 inside Magic Kingdom. Nearly 1,000 Disney VoluntEARS — including many who are military veterans themselves — lined the streets before 5 a.m. to welcome more than 1,600 children, surviving spouses, and family members as they walked down Main Street U.S.A. toward Cinderella Castle. The gathering offered moments of remembrance, connection, and joy as families honored the lives and legacies of their loved ones.
Letters Sent to Heaven
Upon reaching Cinderella Castle, personalized notes written by each family to their fallen hero were placed inside a magical cauldron on the castle stage and then sent symbolically to the fallen in a special Disney magic moment. Gary Sinise and Mickey Mouse joined in to make the ceremony unforgettable.
"While our hearts are heavy at the circumstances that brought these families together, I am grateful we can wrap our arms around them," said Gary Sinise. "As we approach the holiday season, I am so glad that we are able to bring these deserving families together to create new and wonderful memories at The Most Magical Place on Earth, Walt Disney World."
A Personal Connection for Disney's Veteran Cast
Virginia Kiernan, a U.S. Army veteran who serves as a Recreation Guest Experience Manager at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, described Snowball Express as her favorite annual event. "Gold Star families hold a special place in my heart, so I'm honored to join fellow Disney cast members as we give back to those who have sacrificed so much," she said.
Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, credited the partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation as a reflection of Disney's deepest values: "Disney's enduring respect for military service members and their families runs deep, beginning with our founders Walt and Roy Disney serving our country during the first World War. We're honored to help them make happy new memories during their visit to the Walt Disney World Resort."
What This Means for Military Families
Snowball Express is one of the Gary Sinise Foundation's four programmatic pillars supporting veterans, first responders, heroes, and their families. Since 2018, more than 23,000 children of fallen military heroes, fallen first responders, and their surviving guardians have participated in the retreat at Walt Disney World. The program expanded in 2024 to include a second event for families of fallen first responders (December 13–16). For families navigating grief — especially during the holidays — the retreat offers a rare and intentional combination of community, remembrance, and joy. Learn more about the Gary Sinise Foundation at garysinisefoundation.org.
