A slew of celebrities — including actors Angelina Jolie and Tom Hanks, Olympian Simone Biles and late-night TV host Jimmy KimmelJames (Jimmy) Christian KimmelAnnual Snowball Express event to thank military families goes virtual amid pandemic John Mulaney says Secret Service investigated him over SNL joke Obama jokes that he’s ‘scared’ of Michelle, Sasha MORE — is taking part in a holiday thank-you message to the families of fallen service members.
“We owe so much to military families. More than we even know. So I’m deeply grateful and thankful to all of you,” Jolie says in the virtual tribute held this week by the Gary Sinise Foundation.
The organization’s annual Snowball Express event typically hosts more than 1,700 gold star children as part of a nearly weeklong “therapeutic retreat” at Disney World. The gathering is traditionally held in December, as the foundation says the holidays “can be especially challenging for grieving families.” This year’s event was transformed into a virtual get-together due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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“We’re sorry we can’t be with you. Sorry we’re not all going to Disney World. We just want to say we’re thinking about you,” country music singer Trisha Yearwood tells viewers in the video, as she sits alongside husband Garth Brooks.
“Make sure you take care of you during this time,” Brooks adds.
“Hi everybody on the Snowball Express — the COVID-19 virtual version!” Hanks, Sinise’s co-star in “Forrest Gump,” exclaims to the camera. “I hope everybody has a really great time. Disney World will be there in the future.”
“We hope this little bit of joy will stay with you as a reminder of how much we appreciate you,” says “The Big Bang Theory’s” Mayim Bialik.
“I keep you in my prayers and know the family members you lost are always in your heart,” says “Transformers” star Mark Wahlberg.
The Snowball Express started in 2006, and teamed up with the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2017. The actor’s charity does community outreach, fundraisers and other events for first responders and members of the military.