Gary Sinise, Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey surprise children of fallen service members

Updated: 10:22 AM EST Dec 20, 2021

'Tis the season of giving back, and Gary Sinise is doing just that.The actor held his annual Snowball Express for children of fallen military service members. Typically his event is held in person at Walt Disney World, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic the actor went virtual for the second year.Along with Sinise, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Steve Buscemi, Matthew McConaughey, Gordon Ramsay, Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, Caeleb Dressel and Jordan Chiles were among those who took part with messages. Idina Menzel even sang "Show Yourself' from "Frozen II."The kids were treated to a full day of virtual experiences from magic by Penn & Teller, Bindi and Robert Irwin from their animal sanctuary in Australia, yo-yo lessons from two-time world champion Gentry Stein, animation and even cooking lessons.For over a decade, Sinise has given back to veterans through his Gary Sinise Foundation.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Actor Matthew McConaughey isn’t running for Texas governor after months of publicly flirting with the idea of becoming the latest celebrity candidate.

The 52-year-old Academy Award winner said in a video posted Sunday night that political leadership was not a route he was choosing to take right now.

“As a simple kid born in the little town of Uvalde, Texas, it never occurred to me that I would one day be considered for political leadership. It’s a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It’s also a path that I’m choosing not to take at this moment,” said McConaughey.

He said he would instead focus on supporting businesses and foundations that he said are creating pathways for others to succeed.

The Texas governor’s race is already shaping up to be one of the nation’s highest-profile contests in 2022.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a third term and Democrat Beto O’Rourke, coming off failed bids for the U.S. Senate and president, announced last month that he was getting in the race.

Related video above: Beto O’Rourke says he will run for Texas governor

Actor Matthew McConaughey announced Sunday in a video message on Twitter that a future in political leadership is not in the cards -- right now.

After acknowledging that he had taken time exploring politics and considered a run for the governor of Texas, McConaughey said he's decided to focus his efforts in the private sector.

"As a simple kid born in the little town of Uvalde, Texas, it never occurred to me that I would one day be considered for political leadership. It is a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It is also a path that I'm choosing not to take at this moment," he said.

He also noted that he has been studying Texas politics and American politics.

"What have I learned? A lot. That we have some problems we need to fix. That our politics needs new purpose. That we have divides that need healing," he said.

McConaughey also said that he is going to continue to support entrepreneurs, businesses and foundations that he "believes are leaders."

"Establishments that I believe are creating pathways for people to succeed in life. Organizations that have a mission to serve and build trust while also generating prosperity -- that's the American dream," McConaughey said. "Politicians, the good ones, can help us get to where we need to go ... but let's be clear, they can't do anything for us unless we choose to do for ourselves."

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will run for a third term in Texas. Beto O'Rourke, the former Texas congressman who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, launched his campaign earlier this month.