Actor Gary Sinise gives $60,000 to departments that battled destructive Colorado wildfire

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Actor Gary Sinise (suh-NEES’), well-known for his role as Lieutenant Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” has made a large donation to help first responders who rescued people and fought the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.

Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey choked back tears Tuesday while accepting the nearly $60,000 check he says his department desperately needs.

KKTV-TV reports (http://tinyurl.com/qhqd4u4 ) the largely volunteer fire department this summer lost many expensive pieces of equipment, including radios and fire hoses, while battling Black Forest Fire northeast of Colorado Springs . Those will all be replaced.

The money comes from the Gary Sinise Foundation. Sinise sent a video message saying he was happy to help out.

The fire in June killed two people, burned about 22 square acres and destroyed more than 480 homes. The cause is still being investigated.

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Information from: KKTV-TV, http://www.kktv.com/

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