‘The Christmas Ring’ Partners With Gary Sinise Foundation (Exclusive)

Karen Kingsbury is bringing holiday joy to those who need it most. 

Upon the release of her latest book, The Christmas Ring (out Oct. 21) and ahead of its corresponding movie, which will be in select theaters starting Nov. 6, the author partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation to bring a powerful message from Gary Sinise to the big screen.

“Donating ad space to the Gary Sinise Foundation was a privilege, as I can only hope that more people come to know and support this life-changing organization,” Kingsbury exclusively tells PEOPLE. “By putting information about the GSF in front of moviegoers who see The Christmas Ring, we will expose millions more people to the work the Gary Sinise Foundation is doing. I’m so excited to see many more veterans helped through this partnership.”

Along with amplifying the work of the foundation, which builds custom, mortgage-free homes for severely wounded veterans and brings entertainment to service members stationed around the world, Kingsbury’s film uses 100 background actors who are actually active or retired military in the film. One of those actors was James Daniels, a 101-year-old World War II veteran who had people standing in line for hours just to shake his hand. 

“We partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation because their team spends their lives giving back to those who gave it all for us,” Kingsbury says. “Gary has a heart to help the men and women who have served our country. His team steps in where others have stepped out. They build houses for disabled vets and help families in a myriad of ways. His heart and mine are aligned in that now it is our time to honor them!”

The Christmas Ring follows the love story of a military widow in Columbus, Ga., while offering a “better understanding of the sacrifice made by the men and women of our military.”

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The film stars Jana Kramer, Benjamin Hollingsworth and Kelsey Grammer, and follows other Kingsbury novels that have been adapted for the screen, including Like Dandelion Dust, The Bridge, A Time to Dance and Someone Like You, among others. The latter was the first film produced under her Karen Kingsbury Productions company.

“I hope readers and moviegoers will walk away more aware of the true need to roll up our sleeves and come together to help our veterans find hope and healing,” Kingsbury says. “The Gary Sinise Foundation is one the perfect organization to partner with to help my readers and moviegoers make a difference.”

For his part, Sinise, 70, expressed his excitement and gratitude for the author’s generosity. “I am very grateful to Karen Kingsbury for her support of the Gary Sinise Foundation through her new film The Christmas Ring,” he tells PEOPLE.

The Christmas Ring is available now, wherever books are sold.