2019 ANNUAL REPORT

My Friends,

Sometimes I’m asked the question, “With so many worthy causes, why have you spent so much time trying to help veterans?”

Our nation has been at war since the devastating attacks on 9/11. For the men and women who have volunteered to serve in harm’s way, and in doing so have been severely injured or lost their lives while defending our freedom and way of life, we’re all part of a country that benefits from their selfless service. To me, the answer is rather simple and matter of fact: Why shouldn’t we do something for them?

The conviction and dedication I have for working with veterans were driven in large part by the lack of appreciation our nation’s Vietnam War veterans recieved. With Vietnam veterans on my wife Moira’s side of our family, I learned valuable lessons from them about their service in Vietnam and what it was like for them to come home to a nation that had turned its back on them due to divisions within our country over the war.

In the 2019 annual report, what you’ll notice is the remarkable growth of the Foundation’s impact from coast to coast and at overseas military installations. I am humbled by the continued generosity of so many Americans who entrust the Foundation with their hard-earned donations to extend their admiration and support to our nation’s heroes and their families.

The consistent trajectory of results and expansion of our mission is attributed to the hard work each of us at the Foundation is committed to and what we remind ourselves is at the heart of our shared duty: serving our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

As you’ll see, 2019 also saw an expansion of our Relief & Resiliency program, specifically, how we are addressing the mental health needs of service members, veterans, first responders, and families of deceased service members through innovative and empowering treatment methods.

Regardless of the uniform worn, those who serve a greater calling in their community or the armed forces — and the loving families serving in lockstep at their side — are naturally predisposed to environments and challenges that exacerbate the toll taken on their mental health. Raising and strengthening the spirits of those who serve is the heartbeat of everything we do at the Gary Sinise Foundation and our mental health initiative is addressing these challenges with phenomenal results.

I believe while we can never do enough for our nations defenders and the families who sacrifice alongside them, we can always do a little more. I send my sincerest thanks to all who have supported and continue to so we can “always do a little more” for those we serve.

From a Grateful American,

Gary Sinise

Friends,

I am proud to report that in the fiscal year 2019, we witnessed unrivaled growth in the reach of our four programmatic service offerings, unlike at any other time in the foundation’s history. From humble beginnings in June 2011, the Gary Sinise Foundation is now leading from the front as we carry out the vision of our founder and chairman, in service to our nation’s heroes and their loved ones.

From coast to coast, program by program, the footprint of support reaching those in need is astounding.

Grants through our First Responders Outreach program contributed to more than 600 pieces of life-saving equipment and funded essential training courses. In agriculture-rich Eastern Iowa, the DeWitt Volunteer Fire Department invested in life-saving equipment for their ambulance by purchasing a power cot and power loading system.

These two essential pieces of equipment enable first responders to safely and effectively care for patients utilizing a powered wheeled stretcher to support and transport them. The cot’s battery-powered hydraulic system raises and lowers the patient, creating less stress on the body and limit exposure to injury for paramedics and firefighters.

Throughout the year, we bridged the gap between our defender and civilian communities through signature initiatives in our Community and Education program including Soaring Valor where more than 340 veterans of the Greatest Generation and more than 120 high school students visited the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Paired together, these trips forge an uncommon bond that grows more meaningful during the trip.

For veterans, the memory of their wartime experience is remembered with easy smiles, heartfelt tears, shared laughter, and unmended sadness. And for students chosen for these trips, they are entrusted with veterans’ stories of their wartime experience, and, more importantly, as they move forward in their lives, they carry a tremendous obligation to share those stories with others. That is the power of Soaring Valor and the enduring tribute to America’s heroes.

When it comes to America’s sons and daughters serving at home and abroad, how are they receiving the love and support of the American people? Our Serving Heroes initiative fed close to 93,000 service members a hot, All-American meal courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation. These events are a message from the nation that their service is appreciated and remembered each and every day – achieving the vision of Gary who foresaw Serving Heroes forming new connections and strengthening communities.

Our Relief and Resiliency program continues to adapt to the present and future needs of our country’s heroes and their loved ones, with our newest initiative focused on mental health.

In the five initiatives that make up this program, we saw more Gold Star families welcomed into Snowball Express — participating in year-round community events like visiting the world-renowned Georgia Aquarium and the five-day trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In 2019 alone, your donations helped fund the trip for over 1,700 surviving family members.

At military installations nationwide, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band brought more than 65,000 service members and their families together for an evening of honor, gratitude, and rock ‘n’ roll. Each concert offers an opportunity to convey a personal message of thanks and appreciation to both service members and their families for their honorable service and sacrifices for our nation.

Through H.O.P.E. (heal, overcome, persevere, excel), we supported more than 200 individuals and families struggling to make ends meet by covering the cost of groceries and mortgage assistance to vehicle repairs. In the following pages, you’ll read about the support the Foundation provided to Josh Fish, a paramedic in New Jersey, and how we rolled out the red carpet for Gold Star spouses during the annual Hollywood Adventure experience in Los Angeles.

Featured throughout the 2019 annual report are the personal stories of the men and women on the receiving end of the foundation’s services, an extension of your support and generosity, like Army Sergeant First Class Caleb Brewer. Caleb lost both legs during a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2016 when a pressure-plate improvised explosive device (IED) detonated beneath him as he and his team were conducting a patrol.

Through our Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) program, we were able to provide Caleb and his family a specially adapted smart home. During the home dedication ceremony in Tucson, Arizona, Caleb enshrined his sacrifice when he said to the audience, “I look down at my legs every day, and I say, ‘you know what, this is a deposit on America’s freedom and I’m proud to have made a deposit.’” How profound his words are.

Another facet of the R.I.S.E. program which saw year-over-year growth is our assistance to veterans and first responders in need of home modifications, mobility devices, and adapted vehicles. Fort Worth, Texas police officer Lisa Ramsey is a case in point.

Officer Ramsey sustained gunshot wounds while making an arrest during a drug bust. The injuries left her paralyzed from the chest down. When we learned that Officer Ramsey’s medical insurance was unable to cover the cost of an Ally chair — a specially modified wheelchair costing upwards of $16,000 — we marshaled donations to cover the cost.​ She continues to serve the Fort Worth community.

Her story, like Caleb’s, are testimonials to the scale of impact your donations make in extending the reach of the foundation’s services.​

The success of 2019 speaks volumes about the depth of professionalism and commitment by our team to serve others. I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight these dedicated individuals who come to work each day to fulfill the mission and values of the Gary Sinise Foundation.

On behalf of our founder and chairman, Gary Sinise, our board of directors and advisory council members, I thank you for your support and generosity, which have advanced our mission and positive impact in the lives of the nation’s defenders and their families.

Your loyal wingman,

Robin Rand, Chief Executive Officer