- link Copy Url
- [  Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Snowball Express Brightens the Holiday Season for Families of Fallen Heroes https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1244866?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1244866?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1244866?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Snowball Express Brightens the Holiday Season for Families of Fallen Heroes&body=ESG News from American Airlines https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1244866?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives](/CSR-News/philanthropy-cause-initiatives)

 # Snowball Express Brightens the Holiday Season for Families of Fallen Heroes

 


 

 Jan 2, 2024 11:50 AM ET

  ![Santa and Mrs. Clause in an airport cart riding down an aisle waving american flags.](/sites/default/files/2023-12/snowballexpress_americanairlines_122823.png)

 ▶ 

Video 

  

 

 



 

 

 

 ![Passengers disembark from an American Airlines plane, a line of people there to greet them on the tarmac.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/snowball_americanairlines_122823.png) 

 

 

      

   ![Santa and Mrs. Clause in an airport cart riding down an aisle waving american flags.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/2023-12/snowballexpress_americanairlines_122823.png?h=5afce15e)

   ![Passengers disembark from an American Airlines plane, a line of people there to greet them on the tarmac.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/snowball_americanairlines_122823.png?h=c74750f6) 

 

 

This month, American Airlines partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation for the annual Snowball Express event that honors those who have lost a loved one while serving in our nation’s military. This year for the first time, the event was held over the course of two weeks, expanding the participants to include families of fallen first responders. American donated charter aircraft and tickets on already-scheduled flights to fly almost 3,000 participants from all over the world to Orlando, Florida, where they enjoyed an all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World Resort.

More than a thousand American Airlines team members donate their time to make Snowball Express a meaningful experience for the families of fallen heroes. Every year since 2006, team members have volunteered to serve the families in the air or coordinate gate-side sendoff ceremonies in airports throughout the system. Volunteering for Snowball Express came full circle this year for Dani Fernandez, who works in IT at American, after having participated in Snowball Express as a child 11 years ago.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/aa_aa_hrz_rgb_grd_pos.png)](/profiles/american-airlines)

 



 

### More from American Airlines

###### [American Airlines Strengthens Ethical Business Practices With Updated Supply Chain Policy, Human Rights Commitment, and Enhanced Supplier Diversity Efforts](/news/american-airlines-strengthens-ethical-business-practices-updated-supply-chain-policy-human)

 Oct 30, 2024 1:40 PM ET

  



###### [American Airlines Sets New Records for Operational Excellence in 2023, Enhancing Customer Experience and Satisfaction Across 350 Destinations](/news/american-airlines-sets-new-records-operational-excellence-2023-enhancing-customer-experience)

 Oct 28, 2024 2:35 PM ET

  



###### [American Airlines leaders join OBAP board, honoring legacy of David E. Harris](/news/american-airlines-leaders-join-obap-board-honoring-legacy-david-e-harris)

 Oct 18, 2024 11:30 AM ET

  



###### [American Airlines Intensifies Fight Against Human Trafficking With Expanded Training, Key Partnerships, and Global Recognition](/news/american-airlines-intensifies-fight-against-human-trafficking-expanded-training-key)

 Oct 17, 2024 2:45 PM ET

  



###### [American Airlines Invests $1.1 Billion in Team Member Training and Development, Empowering Employees With New Skills and Career Growth Opportunities](/news/american-airlines-invests-11-billion-team-member-training-and-development-empowering-employees)

 Oct 16, 2024 3:10 PM ET

  



###### [American Airlines Team Members, Customers Support Communities Impacted by Hurricanes](/news/american-airlines-team-members-customers-support-communities-impacted-hurricanes)

 Oct 15, 2024 10:30 AM ET

  



###### [The Journey of Friendship and Support Through Service](/news/journey-friendship-and-support-through-service)

 Oct 10, 2024 10:45 AM ET

  



###### [American Airlines Expands Talent Pipeline With Over 2,000 Pilots Hired in 2023 and New Initiatives To Support Aspiring Aviators and Maintenance Professionals](/news/american-airlines-expands-talent-pipeline-over-2000-pilots-hired-2023-and-new-initiatives)

 Oct 8, 2024 1:10 PM ET