Operation Open Arms Military Sponsors Florida

Contributors

We've had a few contacts saying that someone would love to help but can't see how their business could participate. There are many ways to help even if you don't own a business that seems relevant.

The recipients of these benefits are asked to consider that gratuities/tips for meals, guides, and other services are not included. Also, note - most of these offers are good for 1-time only and not multiple occasions.

Operation Open Arms is a self administering program. It is not an entitlement program. The responsibility of making all hotel, golf, fishing, restaurant, and other reservations rests solely with the individual military participant or their immediate family. The founders of the program work to find contributors and to post the offers on the website - they are not actively involved when it comes to detailed arrangements. Contact information is posted with each offer and military personnel and/or their families are expected to use that information to make their arrangements. The only way to take advantage of the offers is by contacting the contributors directly. Offers by contributors are always subject to availability. For example, professional fishing guides will work around their scheduled charters as best as they can - lodging accommodations are based on availability at the time of the request. Gift certificates are sometimes limited to a fixed number each month.

Some ideas about how you can help

Promise a gift certificate or free meal at a local restaurant. Tell us about it and we'll put it on the list. Be sure to include the restaurant name. When you hear from a visiting service man or woman, you can make arrangement with them.
Networking always gets results. Contact your friends and businesses that you deal with and ask them to participate.
If you have family or friends who are stationed in overseas locations, get the word out to them.
Place the Operation Open Arms link on your website with a link back to us.
Gift certificate at local salon for manicure
Gift certificate at local department store for an item of clothing
Gift certificate at a book store, coffee shop, drugstore.
Buy a 10.00 Gift Cert to McDonalds or any other food establishment and leave it at the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
Buy a $10.00 phone card and leave it at the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
Agree to cut, trim, mow the lawn of a U.S. Serviceman during his deployment
Buy a wife or mother a Publix, Winn-Dixie or Albertson's Gift Card and drop it off or mail to the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce.
Ask a group of friends to unite and send a GI to Disney World or Sea World
Invite a GI to your home for a home cooked meal.
Hire a Professional Fishing Guide/or expert to take a Military family fishing, sailing or camping
Help out with laundry, fix leaks in their home, treat them to pest control services
Think outside of the box - we're guessing that everyone has some great ideas that we haven't considered.