American Airlines and Gary Sinise Foundation Unite for Annual Snowball Express: Honoring Military and First Responder Families at Walt Disney World

This month, American Airlines collaborated with the Gary Sinise Foundation for the annual Snowball Express event, which pays tribute to individuals who have lost a loved one while serving in the military. In a noteworthy change this year, the event spanned two weeks, accommodating not only the families of fallen military personnel but also those of first responders. American generously provided charter aircraft and tickets for nearly 3,000 participants from around the globe, flying them to Orlando, Florida. Once there, the participants enjoyed a fully funded experience at Walt Disney World Resort.
 
Over a thousand dedicated American Airlines team members volunteered their time to ensure that Snowball Express was a poignant and memorable occasion for the families of fallen heroes. Since 2006, these team members have selflessly offered their services, whether in the air or by organizing sendoff ceremonies at airport gates across the system. For Dani Fernandez, an IT professional at American, volunteering for Snowball Express took on a special significance this year, as she had been a participant in the event herself 11 years ago when she was a child.