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WASHINGTON D.C. (June 2, 2008) - For the past two years, one
troop-support organization has made sure children of fallen
servicemembers have an avalanche of fun.
"Snowball Express" began in December 2006 with the mission of
providing hope and new memories to military children who have lost
a parent since 9/11.
"The belief is these children should never be forgotten by a
grateful nation," said Roy White, the group's chairman of the board
and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. "Snowball Express
accomplishes its mission by providing an all-expense paid,
multi-day fun experience for eligible children [18 and younger] who
are joined by the surviving parent [or] legal guardian."
Since its beginning, the Snowball Express event has been held in
Orange County, Calif. This year will be no different, White
said.
"This year, new and returning families will be treated to a new
experience with a trip to Universal Studios and 'A Day in the Life
of California,' being planned by the employees of Oakley and many
other corporate partners," he said. "A return trip to Disneyland
completes this unique experience, along with a few special
surprises along the way for these children who pay the price of
freedom for all Americans every day."
Beyond the fun, however, there is a serious purpose to the
event, and that is the relationships that are forged among not only
the adults who discover they're not alone, but also the
children.
"The greatest benefits are the children being with other
children who understand their emotions and thoughts," White said.
"It's these new relationships that build hope for the future and
create new memories and a network for these children."
More than 1,000 volunteers from across the country are helping
to make this endeavor possible. Not included among these volunteers
are the people who make donations to make the five-day event
possible.
"We know Americans want to help these children, and Snowball
Express has become a conduit for all Americans to help by donating
frequent flyer miles, organizing local events for the families and
providing financial contributions to his main event in December,"
said Jim Palmersheim, a Snowball Express board member and an
American Airlines captain. "I'm proud that my fellow American
Airline pilots and flight attendants worked for free to bring these
children to Snowball Express last year, and we are honored to do it
again this year."
Other corporate sponsors offer everything from lodging and
transportation to meals, tickets and myriad other goodies.
Those involved with Snowball Express said the group's new
affiliation with the Defense Department's "America Supports You"
program will help spread the word and get other sponsors involved,
as well.
America Supports You connects citizens and companies with
servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
"Very little money is spent on overhead costs such as
advertising or fundraising," said Bill Mimiaga, Snowball Express'
secretary and a trustee as well as a retired Marine major. "Being
recognized by ASY will give us increased exposure to corporations
and, more importantly, to families who may not know about us.
"If even one family learns of Snowball Express because of this
affiliation, those children's lives and the subsequent changes in
their lives because of their Snowball Express experience will make
it all worthwhile," he added.
This year's Snowball Express event will be held Dec. 16-20.
Plans are under way to hold Snowball Express 2009 in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area. More information and eligibility rules are
available on the group's Web site.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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