The Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) has announced a four-year, $2 million commitment from the David and Sherry Cordani Family Foundation in Hartford, Connecticut, to expand GSF’s efforts to support and empower veterans, first responders, and the families of those who died in the line of duty.

The gift will benefit GSF’s Snowball Express program, a year-round initiative that brings family members together for workshops, regional community events, and other activities. In addition, the donation will support programming through the Boulder Crest Foundation, a partner of GSF’s Mental Wellness initiative, to assist veterans and first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries and to help heal other invisible wounds.

“Every day, our men and women in uniform, whether first responders or our military, put themselves on the front line to protect and help our communities and our country, and their families sacrifice with them,” said Cigna president and chief operating officer David Cordani. “While we can never do enough to give back to others who have given so much, we are honored to partner with the Gary Sinise Foundation to support expansion of the provision of needed services for these brave heroes and their families.”

“Too many of our veterans and first responders struggle in silence, battling invisible wounds, not wanting to burden others with their challenges,” said actor Gary Sinise. “I believe, as citizens who benefit from the freedom they sacrifice to provide, we can all do a little more to support these heroes and their families, letting them know they are not alone on their journey and reminding them that there are many grateful Americans out there who love and appreciate them.”

(Photo credit: Gary Sinise Foundation)