Gary Sinise Donates $1 Million To Transform Nashville Church Into A Haven For Healing Veterans

November 12, 2025

A once-abandoned church in Nashville is getting a second life — this time, as a place of hope and healing for veterans.

Thanks to actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, a $1 million donation from his foundation is helping transform the old building into a 24-hour arts center for veterans through the nonprofit CreatiVets.

Gary Sinise / Facebook

Founded by Richard Casper, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, CreatiVets helps veterans process trauma through art, music, writing, and creative expression. Casper’s vision for the new center is to create a welcoming space where veterans can turn pain into something beautiful — a place to go “when the PTSD hits,” he told the Associated Press, instead of a bar or other destructive environment.

But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Just weeks after CreatiVets purchased the former church, vandals damaged its windows and interior, leaving Casper disheartened. Still, the veteran didn’t give up. He leaned on the same message he shares with others: ask for help. Soon, volunteers were filling the space — learning to make stained glass to replace what was broken and helping breathe new life into the building.

Gary Sinise, best known for portraying Vietnam veteran Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump, said he was deeply moved by CreatiVets’ mission. Through his foundation, Sinise has long supported veterans, first responders, and their families.

“Quite often, our veterans don’t want any help,” he told the AP. “But through art – and with theater as well – acting out what they are going through can be very, very beneficial.”

Sinise’s donation not only helped secure the property but also inspired other donors to join the effort. The performance space at the new center will be dedicated to Sinise’s late son, Mac, a gifted artist and musician who passed away last year after a long battle with cancer.

“Mac was a great artist,” Sinise said. “If he had survived, he’d be one of our young leaders helping veterans today. This feels like the perfect synergy.”