Since its establishment in 2011, the Gary Sinise Foundation has always served as an advocate for the heroes of our nation. However, with the launch of its very first regional chapter, it is now tackling this mission at a local level in Central Florida.
The Central Florida Chapter officially launched on August 15th. The first of many chapters to come, Central Florida will expand on the foundation’s efforts by assisting its first responders, front-line workers and the 1.5 million veteran population that calls the region home.
Karen Connors serves as Chapter President and stated the board that serves with her is one of strength, experience and passion:
“Our success as the first chapter of the Gary Sinise Foundation starts with our roots in the Central Florida community, including our Board of Directors and Advisory Council — a team of community leaders, many of whom have distinguished military careers and understand firsthand the commitment to service and sacrifice made by our nation’s heroes.”
The foundation’s core programs will have a strong local presence with the support of the Central Florida Chapter. In fact, the chapter has hit the ground running. By hosting multiple Serving Heroes events, it has already provided hundreds of complimentary meals to the area’s first responders and healthcare workers, who have tirelessly worked through the country’s current battle with Covid-19.
Moving forward, other programs to be supported by the local chapter include Snowball Express, R.I.S.E., and Relief and Resiliency. Each one of these programs provides aid and resources to various facets of the community, such as Gold Star Families, disabled veterans, and service members in need.
The Foundation’s founder and chairman, Gary Sinise, expressed his enthusiasm about hitting this milestone:
“I am thrilled to announce the launch of Gary Sinise Foundation’s chapter program, which will extend the impact of the foundation to local communities across the country. Serving, honoring, and raising the spirits of our nation’s defenders and their families is the very heartbeat of everything we do at GSF, and while I believe we can never do enough for them, we can always do a little more. With the launch of our first chapter, and with the support of our great team in Orlando, the Central Florida Chapter will expand this deep personal mission and call to action to ‘do a little more’ for our nation’s heroes.”
