SALT LAKE CITY — This morning the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Snowball Express made a pit stop at the new SLC Airport on its way to Orlando Walt Disney World. 

The foundation’s sponsor American Airlines helped bring over 1,900 family members who have lost loved ones serving in the United States military to Disney World. American Airlines donated 11 charter aircrafts staffed with volunteer crew to transport the families members. 

In a Twitter post, SLC Airport said the departure gate, transformed into a Winter Wonderland, welcomed 9 families from UT. 

The American Airlines’ Snowball Express arrived this morning @TheNewSLC on the way to Disney World! The departure gate was transformed into a Winter Wonderland to welcome 9 families from Utah who have lost a family member while serving in the U.S. military. #GarySiniseFoundation pic.twitter.com/QXkkXNKdNO

— SaltLakeCityAirport (@slcairport) December 3, 2022

Also, the charters landed at 22 different cities across the country to fly participants to Flordia. Further, hundreds of participants traveled from around the world for the experience.

In Orlando, family members can participate in empowerment workshops, regional community events, and a five-day Disney World experience.

Related reading:

• Ballet West continues longstanding tradition, The Nutcracker