Here are just a few stories of OOIAL’s work for our military men and women…
Operation Once in a Lifetime, with the help of the IICF, Mr. Curtain and Mr. Skovran, was able to grant a very special once in a lifetime wish for an Active Duty US Airman suffering from terminal cancer. Sgt Nathan Patrick and his family have never been on a family vacation and asked if we could help create some lasting memories for their family by visiting Disney World. Wish granted!
Operation Once in a Lifetime was able to provide an emergency grant to CW2 Holsey during his time of need in a family emergency. This amazing and inspiring soldier was the first active duty soldier to return to active duty service after losing his leg in combat. He inspired us even more when, weeks after giving him aid, he joined Operation Once in a Lifetime’s Aid Brigade and now donates monthly to support his fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
Navy Seal Devon Grube dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. When he lost his life, his fellow brothers came to us to see how we could create some smiles on the faces of his kids and asked if we could help surprise them with a play-set in their backyard. We presented his family with Fort Grube.
Your OOIAL donations go a long way in helping those in need!
We look forward to another year of helping our service men and women. Operation Once in a Lifetime helps on average 10 to 15 Active Duty Service Members and Veterans a day. To keep up with the latest stories of who we are helping and what we are doing, be sure to follow us on Facebook.
Operation Once in a Lifetime helped support hundreds of families during the holidays; check out the video below and see some amazing dreams that came true!
Operation Once in a Lifetime has received 696 requests from military families needing assistance for the holidays in the past 45 days. These requests range from Active Duty Service Members; Veterans needing help getting home for the holidays, issues with homelessness, providing food on the table for the holidays and even pleas for toys for their children for Christmas through our “Toys for Troops” program. If you would like to help these military families needing emergency and holiday assistance, please consider making a tax deductible donation. If you would like to find out more how you can help, please email staff@operationonceinalifetime.com
Nicolas Checque was a Navy Seal serving with the elite Seal Team Six and gave his life in attempt to rescue an American Doctor taken hostage in Afghanistan in 2012. His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers and this past Sunday, Operation Once in a Lifetime was able to honor his memory at the Steelers game on the field with his family and fellow Service Members present. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
Here is what his mom had to say: “Thank you for a beautiful outstanding weekend. We’ve been blessed to have gotten an amazing chance to meet good people & enjoy spending time with you all. It was above beyond anything I could have imagined. It was a blessing I’ll always cherish & will never forget!” – Sandi
The Baltimore Ravens reached out to Operation Once in a Lifetime about creating a special memory for 5 deserving Soldiers. Just days before the Soldiers were to attend the game they lost 3 of their brothers in Afghanistan, and we were able to make sure they were there in spirit and not forgotten.
Operation Once in a Lifetime and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show teamed up to make a very special wish come true by flying a sailor home from Bahrain to surprise his sister who had nobody to walk her down the aisle.