Operation Open Arms may shut down in 2010/ locals react
Operation Open Arms has been so successful over the last four years that its success threatens its future existence.
OOA founder and Pine Island fishing guide Capt. John “Giddy Up” Bunch
said he plans on shutting down the nonprofit organization by April 19, 2010, if the financial outlook does not improve.
“I’m reaching out to the community and saying ‘can you finally help me,'” said Bunch. “I’ve put my heart and soul and my own money in this for the past four and a half years. I can go up to year five, but I cannot go to year six unless the community shows me that they want this to be saved.”
Bunch said he is not calling a may-day alert for a sinking ship, but merely a stress call that he can no longer personally fund all administrative costs for the program…something he has been doing since its inception.
“Operation Open Arms stands no chance of closing its doors until April 19, 2010,” he said. “At that time, a determination will be made. The success of the program has been beyond my wildest imagination. It has grown exponentially over the past three years.”
Bunch recently had to return nearly $24,000 in donations because his bank would not cash the checks. He said the bank refused to cash the checks after he received his nonprofit 5013c status.
“For four years and four months, I operated this void of a 5013c,” he said. “Money, politics and religion were never a part of Operation Open Arms. Until I received 5013c status, I had about $24,000 in checks that I refused to cash because if I would have cashed those checks back in ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08 and the start of ’09, the IRS would have turned me down. And, if those contributors were denied those deductions based on me presenting Operation Open Arms as a public charity, I would have some major egg on my face. I simply didn’t want to take the chance.”
Bunch said he sent all of the checks he received back to those who issued them with a note that stated it was never his intention to invalidate their generosity. Of the $24,000 he sent back, he said he was reissued checks in the amount of $1,900. Another check that did not receive a stop payment notice on it came from an undisclosed lady in Naples in the amount of $10,000.
“Because it was over a year old, I was told that no personal check or any other type of check could be cashed,” said Bunch. “That’s a function of bank rules. So, until I have legal basis to cash anybody’s check, I won’t do so. I’m probably as black and white as the IRS. You either do the right thing or you don’t do it at all.”
Bunch said that although the operation is now back to being open for business, the economy has “severely hit all of those checks that were fantastic well-wishes dating back to 2005.” He offered a prognosis for the future.
“What has to happen between now and April 19, 2010, is basically the end of me supporting this charity via throwing a cast net,” said Bunch. “The charity has to be supported in the same way that the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross or any other charity commensurate with collecting money for great deeds is supported.”
With only $1,900 left in the bank account, Bunch had to turn down a prestigious invitation from Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham to attend a conference in Colorado focusing on soldier mental and physical health.
Bunch said, as honored as he was to be invited, he did not feel right about draining the OOA bank account in order to attend. He ranks it as his “biggest disappointment” thus far with OOA.
“I spend this money like I’ve got a leash around the eagle’s neck,” Bunch said. “Nothing is spent unless it’s necessary.”
Started as an organization that focused on Pine Island soldiers returning from active duty, OOA quickly grew to focus on soldiers from all over Southwest Florida. Now troops from 49 of the 50 states make their way to the area to take part in services offered by OOA.
Local Fort Myers Beach businesses and individual contributors have taken part in the organization’s good will by offering their services to service people -either visiting the area on leave or returning home- at no cost. The volunteering has made memorable vacations by providing free rooms, meals and various boating trips.
More recently OOA has taken on more responsibility by offering psychiatric services to soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Though OOA has received national acclaim for its efforts, its media profile has been upped recently with an appearance on the “Today Show,” which focused on the PTSD network.
“I didn’t even know what PTSD was. I thought it was something you caught if you went to Tijuana,” Bunch joked, adding, “but this is a potential lifesaver … we’re trying to address the incredible and negative implications of multiple deployments and the pressures put on our troops.”
Though disappointed he had to turn down the invitation to meet a commanding general of the First Army, Bunch is no stranger to turning down invitations from state dignitaries to put OOA first.
He opted out of a meeting with then President George W. Bush to keep his promise of taking soldiers home on leave on a fishing trip.
In February, Bunch gave the chance to meet President Barack Obama to a soldier who was home on leave and dealing with the death of his mother.
These selfless acts by Bunch and those who have donated their time and services have propelled OOA into the national spotlight.
Now OOA is at a critical stage in its growth, experiencing the kind of success that could signal the “demise of the whole business model,” Bunch said.
“I had no idea what kind of monster I was creating. I got into this to make sure Pine Island’s own were taken care,” he said.
For more information on Operation Open Arms, visit its Web site at: operationopenarms.org.
Beach contributors react
Andrea Carriere, owner of Silver Sands Villas, has been a regular contributor in the Operation Open Arms program. She has had nearly 100 service people stay at her 1207 Estero Blvd. resort since its inception.
“My husband, brother, sister and step-daughter were in the Marines Corps,” said Carriere. “It’s a wonderful organization. We all contribute on a daily basis to make sure our guys are fighting for us and we are fighting for them back here.
“We try to give them rooms on their vacations. It’s a shame to hear the organization may be shutting down. We’ve been in on it since the beginning. I’ve always appreciated that this is a free country because of their efforts. I always thought if we have a room, they have a bed.”
Captain Tom Cameron was speechless when he heard the news about the organization possibly ending its run. He has taken three different military families out for a day sail on his boat and his trips have ventured out to the Back Bay and into the Gulf waters.
“It’s shame,” he said. “Bunch is quite a guy. It’s a tremendous program and we, as Americans, should do whatever we can for our servicemen returning home or on leave.”
Cameron keeps a gift he received from a Marine of the Special Forces Rangers on his desk.
“It’s a beautiful medallion from the Iraq Peninsula,” he said.
Larry DeHays from DeHays Automotive, Inc. on 17617 Broadway Ave. off of San Carlos Boulevard has provided free labor and 10 percent off the necessary parts to any active duty service person (or their immediate family members) stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
“I try to do whatever I can to help,” he said.
Even with the news that Operation Open Arms may cease its function as an organization, DeHays plans to continue his end of the bargain.
“I intend to keep up the services,” he said.