Bill O'Reilly Along With Gary Sinise And The Lt. Dan Band to Kick-off Fleet Week With a Benefit Concert at Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square

NEW YORK, April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of May 21st, Sailors and Marines will gather, along with their supporters, to kick off New York City's 2015 Fleet Week with benefit concert headlined by Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band and Bill O'Reilly.  Co-presented by Gary Sinise Foundation and Independence Fund, the benefit will take place at Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square, and will raise much needed funds to help our nation's wounded veterans. 

Sinise, whose is widely known for his Oscar nominated performance as "Lt. Dan" in the 1994 film Forrest Gump and his lead role in the CBS drama, CSI: NY, has been involved in helping and supporting those who serve for over thirty years.  Following the attacks on September 11^th, Sinise began taking part in handshake tours for the USO, which led to the formation of the Lt. Dan Band in order to entertain and lift the spirits of those who serve around the globe.  In 2011, he formed the Gary Sinise Foundation to honor our nation's defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. 

"I am thrilled to be able to be a part of the 2015 Fleet Week," said Sinise. "The reception we receive in New York is always incredible and the compassion and dignity with which New Yorkers treat our injured veterans is truly first-class."

Proceeds will be donated equally to the Gary Sinise Foundation and The Independence Fund to provide the tools, guidance and therapies that our severely injured veterans are otherwise not being provided with.

The funds raised by Gary Sinise Foundation goes towards the many programs that help support our nation's service men and women, including its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence and Supporting Empowerment), which builds custom "smart homes" for severely wounded veterans. Both through its own efforts and through its Building for America's Bravest partner program, the Foundation has begun construction preparation, broken ground, or completed over thirty homes.  Other programs include Serving Heroes, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Arts & Entertainment Outreach, and more.  The Independence Fund is best known as the number one affiliated and endorsed charity of Fox News personality and author, Bill O'Reilly, and works to provide robotic wheel chairs, track chairs, custom built bicycles, as well as Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) for injured veterans. They plan to present its 1000th all-terrain chair at the event.

"Bill O'Reilly is a true patriot and has inspired myriads of generous Americans to support Indy Fund," said Steve "Luker" Danyluk, Indy Fund's Founder/President. "With his support we have been able to literally change the lives of thousands our nation's most severely injured heroes and their caregivers. Our commitment to any hero who has served our nation honorably will last long after the last troops exit Afghanistan. This event is one more way to keep the momentum going, and we are thrilled to partner with such an esteemed organization as the Gary Sinise Foundation in this effort."

Donors will have the opportunity to purchase a benefit concert ticket either for themselves or designate their ticket to a Sailor or Marine who will be in New York as part of the Fleet Week activities.  Some eligible donors will have the opportunity to join Bill O'Reilly, Gary Sinise and other yet to be announced celebrities in an intimate, red carpet meet and greet before the show. For more information on purchasing tickets, please visit http://rockintheboat.org/. 

For VIP package options call:  Sarah Verado from Independence Fund at 843.813.1309 or Rachel Brown from Gary Sinise Foundation at 818.432.8961.

About the Gary Sinise Foundation:
Launched in 2011, the Gary Sinise Foundation honors its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. These include its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence and Supporting Empowerment), whose flagship initiative is a custom Smart Home building project for severely wounded veterans. Both through its own efforts and through its Building for America's Bravest partner program, Gary Sinise Foundation is constructing these one-of-a-kind homes all across the country, each for a wounded hero, their caregivers and family. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Serving Heroes and Arts & Entertainment Outreach.  The Gary Sinise Foundation (Federal Tax ID 80-0587086) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27963.  For more information, please visit www.garysinisefoundation.org

About the Independence Fund:
The Independence Fund (www.independencefund.org), has distributed more than $20M in grants and services to qualifying veterans including the purchase of robotic wheel chairs, track chairs, custom built bicycles and provides Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) for injured veterans as part of its mission. The Independence Fund is a 501(c) 3 organization. Donations to the group are tax-deductible and help provide injured troops with the tools, therapies and guidance that they might not otherwise receive. The Indy Fund has no paid staff and the Board of Directors is comprised entirely of combat veterans. 

About Hard Rock International:
With a total of 199 venues in 63 countries, including 153 cafes, 21 hotels and 10 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company's two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Chicago, Cancun, Ibiza, Las Vegas, Macau and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include San Juan, Rio de Janeiro and Marrakech. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Daytona Beach, Dubai, Los Cabos, Tenerife, Abu Dhabi, and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

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SOURCE Gary Sinise Foundation

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