More than 1,000 children of fallen soldiers got to celebrate Christmas early at Walt Disney World as part of an initiative led by actor Gary Sinise.

Some 1,750 relatives of military heroes were flown to Orlando on Saturday on the Snowball Express for a five-day break at the resort, Fox News reported.

The Gary Sinise Foundation partners with American Airlines to provide free vacations to families from across the US each December.

'The holidays can be especially challenging for grieving families', the Gary Sinise Foundation said on its website. 'Each December, we host a five-day experience for 1,750+ children of the fallen and their surviving parent or guardian.'

More than 1,000 children of fallen soldiers got to celebrate Christmas early at Walt Disney World in Orlando as part of an initiative led by actor Gary Sinise

Some 1,750 family members of military heroes were flown to Orlando on Saturday aboard the Snowball Express for a five-day break at resort (Pictured: Gary Sinise with those on the trip)

'As a therapeutic retreat with a blend of fun and inspiring programs, these families can lean on their peers for support. And this year we're bringing Snowball Express to Walt Disney World Resort!'

On Saturday, Sinise took to Twitter to announce the departure of more than 1,000 'Gold Star Children' for the annual program.

He said: 'Today begins our GSF Snowball Express #14. Over 1000 Gold Star Children travel with surviving parent or guardian, over 1,750 in all, via our travel partner @AmericanAir to Disney World as part of our @GarySiniseFound Snowball Express program.

'This charter left Los Angeles this morning with 91 kids, 176 in all, and I got to take these photos with them before they left. I'll join up in a few days. Have fun kids! We love you!'

On Saturday, Sinise took to Twitter to announce the departure of more than 1,000 'Gold Star Children' for the annual program

Photographs from the weekend showed hundreds of children enjoying Walt Disney World as Sinise posed with Snowball Express families

Photographs from the weekend showed hundreds of children enjoying Walt Disney World as Sinise posed with Snowball Express families.

The actor, who played Forrest Gump's commanding officer Lieutenant Dan Taylor in the 1994 film, was first approached by the Snowball Express in 2007.

The charity had been started a year earlier by 'a few people that wanted to focus on healing and to help the children of our fallen heroes'.

After Sinise was shown a video of the event, the actor signed up to support the 2007 event and he performed for the children with his Lt. Dan Band.

Then, in 2011, the actor founded the Gary Sinise Foundation - of which the Snowball Express became a part in 2017.

The actor, who played Forrest Gump's commanding officer Lieutenant Dan Taylor in the 1994 film, was first approached by the Snowball Express in 2007

'We are committed to maintaining the wonderful traditions while finding new and exciting ways to serve our families of the fallen', a message on the GSF website reads.

The event was hailed by many on Twitter, with one user writing: 'May GOD bless you for what you do to make sure these families are not forgotten.'

Another said: 'My niece and nephew are part of this trip this year. I'm so grateful to your organization. They are so excited and it's great to see them so happy'.