OPERATION OPEN ARMS, INC.
ST. JAMES CITY, FLORIDA

Operation Open Arms offers local businesses, associations, and individuals an opportunity to support our active duty troops. We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charity in Southwest Florida and are not affiliated with any other Southwest Florida charities. As media personality “Capt. GiddyUp”, for many years he was Co-Host of SW FL Outdoors TV Show and now can be seen on adventures of “Light Tackle Angler” with Capt. John Follweiler. Capt. Bunch was recently elected to the lofty position of the Board of Directors of the Florida Guide Association. He recently appeared on a special feature of NBC’s The Today Show as the Founder of Operation Open Arms . In May 2007, he was the subject of a Wall Street Journal article. Honda Marine features Capt. GiddyUp in their 2006 Outboard Catalog “Proven”. ) and is the only 501(c)3 public Florida charity honored by two sitting United States Presidents. Designated a public charity by the IRS in 2008, Operation Open Arms has no payroll or salaries. OOA is void of political or religious affiliation. Since 2005, beautiful Southwest Florida has become our nation’s most popular leave destination for US Troops for good reason. Those serving in combat or foreign duty stations can visit Southwest Florida and enjoy R&R benefits free of charge thanks to the Operation Open Arms’ network of local sponsors of the charity. Operation Open Arms of Southwest Florida has provided charitable resources for over 1,900 US Troops and their families since its founding. Our organization has a very simple mission statement: To provide US Service men and women visiting Southwest Florida every conceivable benefit during their two week combat leave or return from a foreign duty station. Operation Open Arms started with providing a free fishing charter to one service man whose only wish was to go fishing while on combat leave. It has expanded to a network of over 150 local businesses, associations, and individuals that support our troops with more than words—they enthusiastically contribute time, energy, expertise, equipment, facilities, and much more. Please use this contact form to suggest or offer contributing services or donations, make a media inquiry, provide feedback, or send us your success stories or notes of appreciation to be posted on this web site. You can alternatively email us at Please use this contact form to suggest or offer contributing services or donations, make a media inquiry, provide feedback, or send us your success stories or notes of appreciation to be posted on this web site. You can alternatively email us at