The Gary Sinise Foundation ushered in its 7th year anniversary with its annual fundraising dinner which go towards supporting America’s heroes, their loved ones, and their families left behind.
This year the Foundation introduced their inaugural ‘Doing More’ Award, established by Sinise and his wife Moira as a way to honor those who understand the true meaning of service above self and continue to go above and beyond for those in need.
(Watch and share our 2018 Impact Video! Your support helps us change the lives of our defenders and their families. Courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation and YouTube. Posted on Feb 23, 2018.)
This year’s award recipients include US Army SSGG Travis Mills, Bonnie Carroll, and Dr. Frank Luntz.
Additionally, Sinise presented checks to Mills and Carroll to support their own endeavors.
“From the beginning of this work I’ve been involved in for so many years, I’ve met incredible people,” said Sinise while addressing the event’s attendees.
“Individuals who have sacrificed themselves, who have given so much, and then turned that sacrifice into service for others.”
“This year my wife and I decided we wanted to honor a few friends who have certainly given a lot and who have inspired others by doing more each day to give something back.”
Mills is a Gary Sinise Foundation Ambassador and one of the Foundation’s R.I.S.E. specially adapted smart home recipients.
He was severely injured while serving his country and now is one of five living quadruple amputees post 9/11.
(Check out this video of Gary Sinise visiting the Mills family in their new smart home in Maine. Watch Travis and his family give Gary a home tour and show the impact this smart home has on their lives. Thank you to the American people for their continued support of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation and YouTube. Posted on Sep 15, 2015.)
He’s gone on to create the SSG Travis Mills Foundation which supports recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Bonnie Carroll served in the military and retired as a Major in the Air Force Reserves.
She founded the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) in 1994 following the death of her husband, a soldier who was killed in an Army plane crash.
TAPS is one of the leading military support organizations providing care for those mourning the death of a fallen military family member.
(TAPS is the leading non-profit caring for all those grieving the loss of a military loved one. TAPS National Military Survivor Helpline 1-800-959-8277. Courtesy of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and YouTube. Posted on May 4, 2018.)
The Gary Sinise Foundation collaborates with TAPS through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Relief & Resiliency Initiative.
The evening of the event, Sinise announced Dr. Frank Luntz as a surprise third recipient of the ‘Doing More’ award.
Luntz is best known as an American political consultant, pollster, and ‘public opinion guru’.
He is also founder of Luntz Global a Communication Strategist firm.
Among many philanthropic endeavors, Luntz has hosted the Gary Sinise Foundation’s fundraising event for the past seven years at his home and supports their mission and efforts passionately.
In 2017, Luntz hosted fundraising events at his home that resulted in raising over five million dollars for different non-profits.
Founded in 2011 by actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise, the Foundation continues to grow year after year with its mission to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
Most recently the Gary Sinise Foundation added Snowball Express as an official program.
(Learn More. Actor and activist explains how the Gary Sinise Foundation reflects his support for the U.S. military, veterans and military families. Courtesy of Fox News and YouTube. Posted on Sep 15, 2015.)
Focusing on the children of our fallen military heroes, in addition to community driven events that take place throughout the year, the program hosts an annual four-day experience full of activities to provide emotional healing by fostering a community of strong friendships and keep spirits high.
With the help of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s official airline partner, American Airlines, they will bring together nearly 2,000 Gold Star family members from all around the world, and this year it will take place at Disney World.
This annual event serves as a reminder that our country will never forget the sacrifices of our fallen and the thousands of military families left behind.
(Snowball Express, an organization aimed to make the holidays a little brighter for children of fallen military service members, honored those families, including CBS 11’s Doug Dunbar, who lost his father in Vietnam. Courtesy of CBSDFW and YouTube. Posted on Dec 8, 2017.)
