10/28/21 – Disabled Vet Thanks Operation Open Arms
6/9/20 – OOA marks 15 years of assisting military personnel
3/25/20 – Many thanks to Operation Open Arms
2/12/20 – Maryland & DC Tribute to OOA
7/25/19 – OOA awards Army Combat Medic a Central A/C & Heating System
6/2/19 – New Secretary of Defense invited OOA Founder to 244th Army Birthday Ball in DC
5/4/18 – Wife of Marine returning from Libya reached out to OOA
3/14/18 – US Congressman pays tribute to OOA
3/8/18 – OOA in the Naples Daily News
8/1/17 – Jensen brothers help Operation Open Arms
7/4/17 – 32 active duty soldiers treated to fishing trip
6/21/17 – Matanzas on the Bay’s Bluegrass, Brew and BBQ raises more than $7,000 for Operation Open Arms
5/19/17 – Jensens Pitch In To Help Veterans Group
3/31/17 – Silver Sands hosts military service members with Operation Open Arms
6/28/16 – US Marine dad of Fallen Hero pays tribute to OOA
6/21/16 – Make PTSD counseling a priority
5/20/16 – OOA Founder named MVP of Hospitality, Tourism, and Business
5/16/16 – USA Today journalist praises OOA
2/11/16 – Operation Open Arms lends every assistance to US Marines lost in Hawaii CH-53 Helicopter crash<
1/20/16 – A Deadly Deployment, a Navy SEAL’s Despair
6/8/15 – OOA Founder vs Alligator!
3/9/15 – Republican women seek our Our Founder
1/28/15 – Scientists Seek OOA Founder
8/30/14 – OOA’s 100th Wedding!
8/29/14 – OOA reaches out to parents of slain journalist
8/24/14 – Mini Coopers rally to support Operation Open Arms
8/11/14 – MINI of Ft. Myers Rally (8/23/14) to Benefit Operation Open Arms
6/2/14 – Hometown soldier returns to hero’s welcome
6/1/14 – Hero Marine savors Southwest Florida’s ‘semper fi’
4/1/14 – Local company repairs roof at Operation Open Arms
1/23/14 – Back from heart attack to serve Our Troops
1/10/14 – Suicides of young vets top those of active-duty troops
12/11/13 – Group looks to bring soldiers home for holidays
11/27/13 – Good news: ‘Open Arms’ on a mission for the military
11/10/13 – Honoring and Supporting Vets Beyond Veteran’s Day: One Marine’s Journey
10/7/13 – Letter Speaks to the Character of Operation Open Arms
8/21/13 – Marine writes stirring appeal for OOA
8/2/13 – Operation Open Arms needs our help
1/25/13 Marine spends fun-filled day ‘back home’ in Southwest Florida
12/5/12 A Christmas Miracle for Our Troops
11/11/12 – Operation Open Arms donates final wedding
09/12/12 Collins Vision Contacts OOA to Help Give Troops the Gift of Vision.
05/09/12 Operation Open Arms is Honored with Junonia Award by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.
05/06/2012 Florida Weekly newspaper names OOA” Best Nonprofit/Charitable Organization.”
04/29/12 US Marine Cpl Jonathan Taylor becomes OOA’s 2000th participant to receive full benefits.
04/21/2012 Wink News Covers Operation Open Arms welcoming of 1,999th Member at Southwest Florida International Airport.
03/31/12 Tarpon Lodge, Bert’s Bar, Sandy Hook, Jay at Bubba’s Roadhouse, Gerald Butters, Lisa Benton, Elaine McLaughlin, Maxine and Steve Woodard and Capt Chris Stanford and more Pine Islanders organize with Operation Open arms to provide Soldier’s wedding April 4.
02/08/12 Florida Weekly writer Roger Williams writes about Operation Open Arms and the organization’s need for administrative volunteers and donations for operating expenses.
2/1/12 Parrot Key Grill helps Operation Open Arms recover from arson’s fire with speedy donation to replace lost gift certificates.
Tara Woodring and Jeremy Crosby, both active duty service members, tied the knot at a sunset wedding on Pine Island at renowned Tarpon Lodge. Operation Open Arms’ 92nd wedding!
12/09/11 Gabriel and Caitilyn Lopez receive free beach wedding thanks to Pink Shell Resort and many Operation Open Arms contributors.
12/06/2011 Operation Open Arms Surprises Bride and Groom to be with Limo Ride in advance of OOA’s 90th Wedding as featured on WINK News.
11/20/11 Founder of Operation Open Arms, Captain John “GiddyUp” Bunch, Featured in Regional Southwest FL Living Magazine (Making Waves, page 10) for his Veteran’s day tribute to active duty troops.
11/11/11 Operation Open Arms and Pink Shell Resort host Six Weddings on Veteran’s Day, 11-11-11
11/01/11 Pine Islanders Care – Operation Open Arms a local treasure in Southwest FL.
09/09/11 Operation Open Arms Rallies Community to Bring Marine for Leave.
07/30/11 Fort Myers Beach Talk covers US Marines retreat sponsored by OOA. Recounts action on the battle field of soldier wounded while fighting the Taliban.
07/28/11 US Marines on leave from Afghanistan, Pakistan borders enjoy Fort Myers Beach retreat courtesy of OOA and ask others to donate to keep OOA going.
06/29/2011 Operation Open Arms Gets New Wheels – 1999 BMW Donated for Soldier Transport.
06/21/11 OOA helps serviceman get married on Fort Myers Beach. Our 81st wedding!
04/18/11 – OOA Receives Prestigious Award. John Bunch receives esteemed Seven Seals Award.
04/17/11 – Soldiers get Dream Wedding on Fort Myers Beach via Operation Open Arms.
03/09/2011 – ‘Giddyup’ behind a hero’s pitch. The News-Press’s Sam Cook writes local soldier’s first pitch for Red Sox-Braves game.
More News…
Looking back at my life as a computer educator in Michigan and my life here in Maryland, service to others and the natural environment is a recurring theme. As a 16 year old, I found myself Saturdays, at a Ladies’ Retirement Home, rounding up surprised women, to take them shopping. More recently, for the past 7 years, I’ve traveled countrywide, building with Habitat for Humanity. Besides the fun of hammering away at a framing nail, it is rewarding to work side by side with an excited, new homeowner who, often enough, is moving from substandard housing.
Operation Open Arms of Southwest Florida 
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