presents
An Evening of Honor
Presented by Nate & Kim Albers
Fine dining, live entertainment, and heartfelt tribute. A formal night in honor of America's fallen heroes, and in support of the families who carry their legacy forward.
The Story Behind Operation 300
On August 6, 2011, Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn was killed in action. In the wake of a grief no family should have to carry, the Vaughn, Baldwin, and Pooler families chose to turn sorrow into purpose, and founded Operation 300 in his honor.
Today, Operation 300 cares for the families of our nation's fallen military heroes and fallen law enforcement officers. Through mentorship, camps, retreats, and healing programs, we provide hope, connection, and lifelong support to children, spouses, and parents, all at no cost to the families we serve.
See how we serve them today →
Why Veterans Day
While our nation pauses to honor the brave men and women who wore the uniform, we remember that for thousands of families, the sacrifice did not end when the service did.
“For Gold Star, White Star, and Fallen Law Enforcement families, every Veterans Day is a reminder of the loved one whose seat remains empty.”
We can never repay their sacrifice. Together, we can make sure they are never forgotten.
Why Your Support Matters
Every ticket, every sponsorship, every dollar raised reaches directly into the lives of the children, spouses, and parents who carry the weight of sacrifice every day. Guests will hear stories of hope, healing, and resilience, and see firsthand how Operation 300 changes lives through mentorship, camps, retreats, and year‑round support. All of it provided completely free to the families we serve.
Our Gold & White Star Weekend Adventure Camps give children who have lost a parent the opportunity to simply be kids again. Paired one-on-one with a mentor, campers experience unforgettable adventures like fishing, surfing, horseback riding, shooting, sports, and more, building confidence, friendships, and lasting memories while knowing their hero will never be forgotten.
Our Gold Star Fathers Expedition, in partnership with Operation Restored Warrior, is a five-day retreat created specifically for fathers who have lost a child in military service. Through experiences like clay shooting, gator hunting, and deep-sea fishing, these fathers find adventure, brotherhood, and time to connect with others who understand their loss, while honoring the lives and legacies of their fallen heroes.
Our Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Kids Camps remind children who have lost a parent in the line of duty that they are never alone and never forgotten. Through adventure, one-on-one mentorship, and meaningful connections, we create a place for them to simply be kids, build confidence, and make lasting memories, while honoring the sacrifice of their fallen hero.
Our Surviving Spouse Retreats give widows of fallen military heroes and law enforcement officers time to rest, connect, and recharge. From beach yoga and yacht cruises to dinners and visits to the local GreenMarket, these experiences create meaningful friendships, moments of joy, and a reminder that they are never alone or forgotten.
Our Adopt-a-Pet Program brings love, comfort, and companionship into the homes of the families we serve. In partnership with Furry Friends in Jupiter, families attending our camps can choose a dog or cat to become part of their family. All necessary vaccinations and adoption needs are taken care of, so their new companion is ready to make the journey home and begin a new chapter of healing, comfort, and unconditional love.
Real moments from Operation 300 camps, not stock photography. These are the families your sponsorship supports.
Donor Voices
These words reflect the heart behind the Gold Star Gala: gratitude for the heroes who secured our freedom, and a commitment to the families who carry their legacy every day.
Giving back is a core principle for us. Freedom is not free. It has a human cost. Supporting the spouses, children, and parents of the heroes who made that freedom possible is one of the many ways we choose to honor their sacrifice.
When a hero falls, a family is left to carry the weight alone. We give so spouses and parents know they are seen, remembered, and never walking that road by themselves.
Every liberty we enjoy was paid for by someone else's courage. Standing with Gold Star families is the least we can do to repay a debt we can never fully settle.
These camps give children of the fallen a place to laugh, heal, and belong again. Sponsoring even one camper feels like planting hope where grief once stood alone.
We cannot bring their loved ones home. We can make sure the families left behind are not forgotten, on Veterans Day and every day after.
Watching mentors walk alongside these kids at camp reminded us what real stewardship looks like. Our gift is small next to their sacrifice, but it is sincere.
Freedom is the inheritance these heroes left us. Caring for their children and spouses is how we keep faith with that inheritance.
Evening Schedule
Join Us This Veterans Day
The Gold Star Gala is held once a year, on the one night that means the most. Formal attire. Gold theme. Dress to impress. Every seat filled is another family who knows they are not walking alone.
For ACH / Wire Transfers or Checks, or any additional questions about sponsorships, tickets, or payments, please contact Tara Baldwin.
Email Tara Baldwin →Stand With Gold Star Families
Choose the level that best reflects how you would like to honor our fallen heroes and support the families carrying their legacy forward.
$150,000
This level has been claimed
$100,000
$50,000
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$5,000 per Star
$15,000
$10,000
$1,500
$1,200
Behind the Name Operation 300
Operation 300 carries Aaron's name, and his mission, forward, led by the family who lived the loss and chose to answer it with purpose.
In Loving Memory
Co-Founder | President
Co-Founder | Vice President
Location & Contact
The Gold Star Gala is held at The Mar‑a‑Lago Club on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. Shuttle service begins at 5:20 PM from Hilton PBI (DJT). Formal attire, gold theme.
For ACH / Wire Transfers, Checks, or any questions about sponsorships, tickets, or payments, please contact Tara Baldwin.
Email Tara BaldwinReady to Join Us?
Secure your seat, table, or sponsorship for the Gold Star Gala and stand with the families of our fallen heroes this Veterans Day.
Reserve Your Table