Operation 300 Inc

My name is Dillan Gibbons and I am an offensive lineman at Florida State University. Throughout the month of May, GoFundMe is hosting a College Charity Challenge to show the power of giving on college campuses nationwide. I hope you'll join me to kick off this challenge by donating to Operation 300. Operation 300 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing mentorship to the children of fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Their programming includes retreats, kids camps, and more.

 

Operation 300 is important to me because my grandfather was a Marine who served in the Korean War and I have always had the utmost respect for those who valiantly serve and risk their lives for our country. What Operation 300 does for the children of fallen soldiers and Goldstar families touches my heart in a special way because they bring kids to camps and pair them with an adult male close to their father’s age to engage in exciting new adventures and activities such as fishing and sailing. Once I am able to do so and fit that criteria, I can’t wait to be involved in those camps. I share the belief that when a member of our Armed Services gives his life in defense of our great nation, the least we can do is pledge to honor that sacrifice by caring for his family.

 

There are currently over 70 kids on the waiting list for the Goldstar Kids camp. Camp costs $2500 per child, which includes airfare for both the child and their Mom hotel stay for Mom, food and all activities. This is your GOLDEN opportunity to support the children of our fallen heroes - PLEASE DONATE or SHARE this fundraiser to help as many kids as possible.

 

 

 

 

More about Operation 300: Operation 300 was formed in honor of Special Operations Chief (SEAL) Aaron Carson Vaughn was KIA on August 6th, 2011 when a chopper carrying 30 Americans. Aaron was a member of elite SEAL Team 6 and had been an active SEAL for 10 years. Extortion 17 was shot down in the Tangi River Valley of Afghanistan while rushing into battle. To this day it is the largest loss of life in a single incident to Navy special warfare. Around 60 children lost their fathers in this one shoot down. Specifically, Aaron left behind 2 small children; a son who was not quite two years old and a daughter who was only nine weeks old on that fateful night.

 

Aaron's story, life, and legacy inspired the creation of Operation 300. Tara felt like she needed to do something for these families and children once their soldier was killed defending our freedom. So she quit her job and started Operation 300 with her family. Since then, the organization has grown from serving a small group of Gold Star families to now serving over 1000 Gold Star family members. Operation 300 has been blessed in the last 9 1/2 years with overwhelming support from the community. Many organizations, foundations, police, firefighters, military and more have helped raise money and/or served with us. On the national level Operation 300 has had the opportunity to be featured on Fox and Friends, Hannity, The Steve Harvey Show, and had the honor of being named Ron DeSantis charity of choice when he took office. 

More about Dillan: Dillan is the founder of Big Man Big Heart, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting athletes in using their Name, Image, and Likeness for GOOD. Dillan has been leading the charge in encouraging athletes to use their NIL for charitable purposes or community members in need. In fact, he was the FIRST NCAA student-athlete to use his NIL for GOOD when he started his GoFundMe to bring his friend Timothy to Tallahassee to watch him play his first game as a Nole against his former team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The TakeTimothytoTally went viral when he reached his initial $30,000.00 fundraising goal in only 23 hours. This initiative and his friendship with Timothy Donovan have been featured on ESPN Sports Center and College Game Day and he has raised almost $90,000.00 to date to help the Donovan family renovate their home to make it more accessible for Timothy, purchase a Hoyer lift and a new wheelchair accessible van. His foundation, Big Man Big Heart, has now raised over $300,000.00 to help those in need in just over 8 months. When Dillan isn't working on the field or pursuing his MBA, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family and fiancé, Samantha.