Story I
The events of September 11, 2001 was a defining moment in American history and ultimately changed the lives of millions of Americans.
Millions of lives changed for those that passed away that day, their families, those First Responders that responded, those Service Members that deployed in response of the attacks and for those who were inspired to a higher calling in life due to the events on September 11, 2001.
Operation Once in a Lifetime has received hundreds of requests since our existence from both Veterans Active Military and First Responders whose wishes or dying requests have been to visit the 9/11 Memorial for their very first time as it was the events of that day that inspired them to a greater cause and to defend our country.
With so many requests over the years, Operation Once in a Lifetime started a new annual trip to where we take both Active Duty Military Service Members, First Responders and Veterans to NYC to visit the 9/11 Memorial for their very first time.
Our first annual remembrance trip in 2022 gave an opportunity for the very last Service Members to deploy to Afghanistan to visit where it all began while remembering those killed at the Kabul Airport. We were even honored by the support of the New York Yankees that honored these brave men and women during their 9/11 day game!
For every $750 raised, we are able to send one Veteran/Active Duty Service Member or First Responder to The 9/11 Memorial in New York City for the very first time.
Goal: $75,000 Amount Raised: $50.00
Story II
The holidays are here and during these unprecedented times, we have hundreds of families needing assistance for holiday meals. Donating directly to this program will ensure no military family (Veteran or Active Military) goes without this holiday season. For every $100 donated, we can provide a completely filled Thanksgiving basket (turkey, dressing, vegetables, pie, rolls, butter, cooking pans, gravy and more) to a family in need! Help us make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.
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Goal: $10000 Amount Raised: $3,234.44
Story III
Operation Once in a Lifetime has helped hundreds of thousands of U.S. Service Members, Veterans and their families since 2007.
As we have grown larger and more prominent in the military community as a resource that opens their doors to all Veterans and Active Military, so has the amount of requests that we receive on a monthly basis.
On average we receive over $1,000,000 in requests a month from military units, Active Duty Service Members, Veterans and their families in need of help.
Although we cannot help everyone, we honestly try and help all those in need who are experiencing hardships caused by military service.
Every year Operation Once in a Lifetime’s goal is to raise $1,000,000. This “Current Need” keeps track of year-to-date donations currently received.
If you would like to help our military and help reach our goal of $1,000,000 raised, you can make a tax deductible donation here. Your donations allow us to help families like the Chauncey family.
There are two things that truly affect everyone: the things you can control and the things you can’t. Multiple people contacted Operation Once in a Lifetime about an amazing Combat Veteran Marine, current firefighter and his family who is dealing with every parents’ worse nightmare: a sick child (newborn at that) in the NICU.
When we heard about this amazing family that could use a some love and support during the holidays, we were able to provide a life changing financial grant to help the Chauncey’s during their time of need thanks to the support we receive.
Goal: $1,000,000 Amount Raised: $101,259.43
Story IV
Operation Once in a Lifetime is currently raising funds for our fourth annual “Operation Closure” Trip to Arlington National Cemetery. Serving in the military can be tough, and one of the toughest things about serving in the military is when you lose one of your fellow soldiers. Many people don’t understand that when you lose one of your brothers/sisters in war, the body is sent back home, the burial is back home, the funeral is back home, but you are still deployed.
So many Veterans have lost friends and have never had that closure that they long for as they have never been given the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery to visit the resting spot of their fallen comrades.
Help Operation Once in a Lifetime fulfill one of our biggest endeavors we take on annually as we try and bring 50-60 Veterans from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Dessert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan to Arlington National Cemetery for their very first time.
We have over 60 Veterans and Active Duty Service Members already signed up wanting to go on our 5th Annual Closer Trip in July 2024 and many more e-mailing daily. For every $750 donation, you can help sponsor one Veteran to visit Arlington National Cemetery and help them pay their respects to their fallen brothers.
Watch the video below of one of our previous Closure Trips and the impact your support makes.
Goal: $50,000
Amount Raised: $21,344.00
Story V
Help Operation Once in a Lifetime make holiday dreams come true for military families in need of assistance during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. For every $50 donation, we are able to provide a full holiday meal to a military family. For every $10.00 donation we receive, we can help give a toy to a child in need. For more information please email staff@operationonceinalifetime.com.
Watch this video on how your contributions will make a different in the lives of our troops and their families:
Goal: $20,000
Amount Raised: $Complete