Result have been posted! On behalf of Robert and Linda Ollis, Thank You to everyone for your support and participation!
http://scoreyourrace.com/results/results_2017/Ollis_5K_2017.htm
Hope to see everyone again next year!
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Inaugural SSMOFF 5k Results Posted
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First Annual SSG Michael Ollis Memorial 5k Run & Festival
FIRST ANNUAL SSG MICHAEL OLLIS MEMORIAL 5K RUN & FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR JUNE 11, 2017
Race Will Commemorate the Memory & Sacrifice of SSG Ollis & Raise Funds for Veterans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- Contact: Robert Ollis, President of the Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation P: (646) 379-2295 | E-Mail: fortdrum1988@gmail.com
- Nick Iacono, Board Member and Race Planning Director P: (718) 887-6522 | E-Mail: Iacono.Nicholas@gmail.com
(April 10, 2017 – Staten Island, NY) – The SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 veterans charity established in 2013 by the family of fallen U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Michael Ollis, announced today that it will be hosting its FIRST ANNUAL SSG MICHAEL OLLIS MEMORIAL 5K RUN/WALK & STREET FESTIVAL on Sunday, June 11th, 2017, 8AM – 12PM in New Dorp. The race will serve to commemorate the memory & courageous sacrifice of SSG Ollis, honor all of our nation’s veterans and service members, and raise funds for the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation which supports various veterans’ and philanthropic causes. Members of the media are invited to cover this inaugural event and are asked to please help spread the word. Participants can purchase their $35 ticket or make a donation to the cause at ollisrace.eventbrite.com.
“Our son Michael gave his life for his country, and the foundation we set up in his honor is dedicated to one purpose: to support his fellow veterans and their families,” said Michael’s parents and foundation cofounders Robert and Linda Ollis. “We hope that this race will allow us as a community to memorialize Michael’s sacrifice, show our appreciation for all our service members, and raise funds to help those who have served.” The event will begin at 8:00 AM on Sunday, June 11th, at New Dorp Lane and New Dorp Plaza South…with the race kicking off at 9:00 AM and a street festival featuring live music, food, entertainment, activities, and various vendors/merchants to follow (10AM – 12PM). The race route will be a total of 5 kilometers and entail a loop around the Staten Island Railway (SIR) between Beach Avenue and Jefferson Avenue.
After the race, an awards ceremony and street festival will take place on New Dorp Lane between New Dorp Plaza and 10th Street. The foundation is seeking runners/walkers, sponsors, donations, and volunteers…and those interested should e-mail OllisRace@gmail.com and visit www.ollisrace.evenbrite.com.
“Staten Island is home to both an active running community, as well as a patriotic community that strongly supports veterans and our armed forces,” Mr. and Mrs. Ollis continued. “We thought, what better way to honor Michael’s memory and raise funds for the foundation than by hosting a community run right here in New Dorp where Michael grew up? We especially want to thank all the New Dorp merchants for allowing us to host this event in the neighborhood, and for all the sponsors who have already committed their support.”
In 2013, SSG Michael Ollis was stationed with the 10th Mountain Division at a forward operating base in Ghazni, Afghanistan when the base was ambushed by insurgents. SSG Ollis heroically gave his life to shield a fellow serviceman from a suicide bomber. He posthumously received numerous honors in recognition of his valor including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Audie Murphy Medallion, the Polish Gold Star Medal of Honor, and in January 2016, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced that one its new Staten Island Ferry Boats would be named after Michael.
The race/event, hosted by the SSG Ollis Freedom Foundation, is a partnership among multiple supportive organizations, agencies, and individuals. Special thanks to Councilman Steven Matteo and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, whose offices worked closely with the foundation and Mr. Daniel Clark of SIBOC to secure the necessary permits and logistical arrangements. Special thanks also to Chief Ed Delatorre, Borough Commander for Staten Island; Detective Kevin Medefint of the 122 Precinct; Daniel Clark, Executive Director of the Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC); Maria Esposito of the New Dorp Merchants Group, Paul Burdzy and Agnieszka Chwatko of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, and Andrew Guido of the New Dorp Central Civic Association.
*Further details and information regarding bib pickup will be forthcoming*
Tentative Event Schedule:
- 8:00 AM Opening Ceremony Begins- National Anthem & Remarks (Participants must be in their corral)
- 9:00 AM Race Kicks Off
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Street Festival/Awards Presentation (Street festival will take place after the race on New Dorp Lane between New Dorp Plaza and 10th Street)
Partnering Organizations:
- The Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC)
- The New Dorp Merchants Group
- The Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union
- The New Dorp Central Civic Association
- Office of Councilman Steven Matteo (District 50, Mid-Island)
- Office of Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (AD 64, East Shore/Brooklyn)
- New York Police Department – Staten Island Borough Command & the 122 Precinct
- New York City Department of Transportation – Weekend Walks Program ShopRite of Hylan Blvd, Staten Island
*ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS WELCOME*
Current Committed Sponsors:
- ShopRite of Hylan Blvd
- The Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union
- Crossfit 103
- NYC DOT Weekend Walks Program
***ADDITIONAL SPONSORS NEEDED***
Website: www.ssgollis.org
Facebook: SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation
Event Details/Registration: Ollisrace.Eventbrite.com
Questions? E-mail: OllisRace@gmail.com
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Comedy Night at the VFW Post II on June 11th
The SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Comedy Night at the VFW Post on June 11th at 7:00 PM. This year we are hosting the event at the Labetti VFW Post (390 Hylan Blvd.), blocks from the Verrazano bridge.
Call Tony at 718-517-1616 for tickets!!
Details of the event:
- Ticket prices range from $30 for a single ticket to $250 for a table of 10.
- Ticket includes complementary beer & house for those over 21, soda also included. Cash bar for other requests.
- Ticket also includes food options including 6ft hero sandwiches, salads, coffee, cake.
- A 50-50 raffle will be available with 1/2 of proceeds going to the SSG MOFF
- All this AND a COMEDY SHOW!
For tickets contact Tony at 718-517-1616 and leave a message.
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Call to action for SSG Michael Ollis to receive the Medal of Honor
Please read the excerpt from TaskAndPurpose.com below and write your Congress person.
A Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that a U.S. service member can receive. And while that honor should be reserved for bravest, most selfless among our troops, sometimes, it seems as though awards process misses in the mark.
The number of people who have earned the Medal of Honor in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars is relatively low. Comparatively, the Vietnam War awarded 258 Medals of Honor, and World War II had 464.
Earlier this year, the Defense Department announced that it would be looking into its evaluation for valor awards. As a result, thousands of service members and veterans previously awarded will be considered for medal upgrades.
In honor of National Medal of Honor Day, Task & Purpose’s list of service members that could be awarded a Medal of Honor included SSG Michael Ollis.
The list of US Army Medal of Honor recipients that awarded the medal for conduct and valor while serving in Afghanistan can be found here: http://www.history.army.mil/moh/afghanistan.html .
Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis
A car bomb breached FOB Ghazni in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013. After the explosion, al Qaeda fighters launched an assault on the base that involved grenades, mortars, rockets and at least 10 suicide bombers. Fighting beside Polish Lt. Karol Cierpica during the attack, Ollis was killed when he moved to shield Cierpica from a suicide bomber. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Audie Murphy Medallion, as well as the Polish government’s highest military award: the Polish Medal of Honor.
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1st Annual NY Mets Fundraiser in Memory of SSG Michael Ollis
Join the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation for a fun day at Citi Field on Saturday May 21st @ 4:10PM when they take on the Brewers!
May 21st date set for SSG MOFF Fundraiser at Citi Field.
Purchase your tickets before the run out!Ticket Only ($60) :Use this link to Purchase tickets directly: mets.com/michaelollis
NY Mets POC: Andrew Hicks 718-559-3029
Bus Option ($88) : Bus departs at 1:00 from Staten Island Michael Ollis VFW Post (575 Mill Road) available for additional $28 cost.
Bus POC: Bob Ollis fortdrum1988@gmail.com or call 718-667-3204 for info
Mets Bucket Hat Day Fundraiser for SSG MOFF on May 21
The first 15,000 fans will receive a Mets bucket hat upon entry to the ballpark, and a portion of each ticket will be going back to the Foundation.
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Sculpture Unveiling & Dedication
On Wednesday November 4th at 12:00 the SSG Michael Ollis Sculpture and Memorial Plaza was unveiled and dedicated at Michael J Petrides school on Staten Island. Under crystal clear skies, a gathering of over one thousand people came to pay tribute to Staten Island’s hometown hero. Speakers included politicians such as Staten Island’s borough president James Oddo, Michael’s former teachers such as Danielle Cundari, and family members including a touching essay from Michael’s nephew William Loschiavo.
Paver dedications are still available at the site. For more information and the ordering form see this earlier post: http://www.ssgmichaelollisfreedomfoundation.org/michael-ollis-statue-plaza-memorial-pavers-available/
Additional Pictures can be found at the Hanlon website: http://www.hanlonsculpture.com/portfoliogallery/civic-sculptures/staff-sgt-michael-ollis-memorial-plaza/
Michael J Petrides school is located at 715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island NY, 10301.
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Can’t believe it’s been 2 years…
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Michael Ollis Statue Plaza Memorial Pavers Available
We wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the unique opportunity to
dedicate pavers for the upcoming Michael Ollis Statue Plaza that is in final design phases and will be built along with a larger than life bronze statue at Michael’s high school, the Michael J. Petrides School in Staten Island, NY. The forms for ordering pavers and additional information regarding limited sponsorship opportunities are available for download here:SSG Michael Ollis Statue Plaza Sponsorship Details
The expected cutoff date is December 1st so you are encouraged to act now and contact the Foundation by submitting completed forms to:
SSG Michael Ollis Freedom
Foundation168 Burbank Ave.
Staten Island, NY 10306
Email questions can be directed to: blkkmo@gmail.com
Deeds Not Words
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Gateway Rotary Club Dog Walking Event – June 14 2015
Please join Gateway Rotary Club Foundation for a fun and enjoyable day on June 14th.
Helping our Veterans and Staten Island Charities
On Sunday, June 14, 2015 (Flag Day- the day we celebrate our Flag) in Wolfe’s Pond Park (Hylan Blvd. & Cornelia Ave., S.I. N.Y.)
we will be gathering for a fun filled day with Family, Friends and your Best Four-Legged Little Friend.Participants will have a choice of selecting a ½ Mile or 1 Mile Course – then have a chance to show off and parade their Best Friend through the park amid laughing and cheering, camera’s flashing and tails wagging – all raising funds for a very good cause. Dog Contests will follow the walk.
All Dogs will receive an American Flag Bandana, a Gateway Rotary Dog Walk Bib and a Certificate of Achievement stating the distance they have completed.
* Dogs registered by May 31, 2015 will be awarded an official Gateway Rotary 2015 Dog Walk “Dog Tags”.
Sponsorship opportunities for this unique event are still available.
For information or questions, please call:
David Dillon – 718-490-1781
Frank Santora – 718-669-8886Registration Form can be downloaded here:
Gateway Rotary Club Foundation Dog Walk Registration Form
“Dogs Helping Dogs Help People”
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Soccer Fundraising Event on April 12
Lauren Pecikonis and Melanie Kerwin are leading a fundraising event on 12 April at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburg, NY. As Communications majors at Mount Saint Mary College, their senior thesis is to carry out a special event to honor Michael. Michael’s cousin, Alex Russo, attends the school and decided to dedicate their thesis after hearing of Michael’s story.
Soccer was one of Michael’s passions – he even coached youth soccer during his free time. They will host a soccer game in Michael’s honor on April 12, 2015 at the Mount Saint Mary Campus. For those who cannot attend and donate at the event, they team has launched a Go Fund Me page for everyone to contribute: http://www.gofundme.com/o9vrnk
Finally, even if you cannot donate, please share this link and keep Michael in your memory. Overall, the goal is to spread this story and honor him. Thank you for anything that you can do!
http://www.gofundme.com/o9vrnk
