After a recent tour of duty in Afghanistan, Army sergeant James Bock and his family are vacationing on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. And it’s practically free for him, his wife, and their two kids. 

“It’s wonderful,” Sgt Bock said. “We’re reconnecting, having fun with the kids and taking time out for ourselves.”

This well-deserved break in one of the country’s most luxurious resort communities is thanks to a program called Operation Rest and Relax. Founded by Dr. Grant Evans, the non-profit organizes all-expenses paid vacations for families when they return from deployment.

“I had never dreamed that this would be as large as it’s become,” Dr. Grant Evans said, the founder of Operation R&R. “We have upwards of 400 owners now that have donated a free week of ocean front homes and condos. We have 60 restaurant owners; we have 35 business owners that offer 50% up to 100% discounts.  And we have close to 200 greeter couples which are couples we assign to a family.”

Evans said the Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa recently donated more than 100 rooms and the support is continuting to spread. Bonnie Lowrey is one of those business owners. Lowrey became an Operation R&R board member and greeter when she got word of the program two years ago.  

“I love to see what it is that these kids see when they come down here,” she said. “That light in their eyes, the happiness. I’m representing all the other restaurants on the island that are really part of the program and love what we’re doing and really supportive of our military and everything they bring to us.”

By the end of May 2011, Evans said the program will have hosted more than 700 military families for a virtually free week on the island.

Families like Beth and James Bock, who, after 20 years of military service, could use a little break on the beach.

“The program is giving the soldiers and the spouses and families, time to reconnect and have some quality time,” Bock said. “A couple of places, they were telling me thank you for my service, you know? And I’m telling them, thank you for your service.”

DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED OR APPLY? 

www.operationrestandrelax.org

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
P.O. Box 2319
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925