SECOND ANNUAL SSG MICHAEL OLLIS MEMORIAL 5K RUN & FESTIVAL

Yes, you can still run the race!!!! SIGN UP NOW:  https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/StatenIsland/Ollis 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2018 SSG Ollis 5k Flyer

Contact:

• Robert Ollis, President of the Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation

P: (718) 667-3204 | E-Mail: fortdrum1988@gmail.com

• Nick Iacono, Board Member and Race Director

P: (718) 887-6522 | E-Mail: Iacono.Nicholas@gmail.com

(February 27, 2018 – 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 the SECOND ANNUAL SSG MICHAEL OLLIS MEMORIAL 5K RUN/WALK & STREET FESTIVAL will take place on Sunday, June 10th, 2018, 8:30AM – 12PM in New Dorp! Members of the media are invited to cover this Second Annual Race and are asked to please help spread the word.

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

• Registration for the 5K Race or 2-Mile Walk is $30 for all participants who sign up before May 1, after which the fee will increase to $35; same-day registration on June 10 will be $40.  All participants who register prior to May 10 will receive a shirt. 

•  Please register early! Participants can sign up for the run/walk, sign up to volunteer, and/or submit donations at runsignup.com/Race/NY/StatenIsland/Ollis

•  All additional questions and inquiries about sponsorship tiers/opportunities should be directed to OllisRace@gmail.com. Special discounts for gym/athletic groups and high school track teams will be available. Please inquire atOllisRace@gmail.com.

HOPING FOR SUCCESSFUL 2^nd ANNUAL AFTER OUTSTANDING INAUGURAL 2017 RUN:

Last year’s inaugural race shattered all expectations, garnering roughly 1,000 participants, numerous community and corporate sponsors, and over $50,000 raised for veterans in its first year. The foundation hopes to have the support of the Staten Island community once again for the second annual race, including participants and sponsors. The success of the second annual event will ensure that the SSG Michael Ollis Memorial 5K Run/Walk becomes a mainstay in the community and one of Staten Island’s most anticipated athletic/charitable events of the year.

“The Foundation and our entire family were so humbled to see the outpouring of support for Michael and our veterans at the inaugural race last year,” said Robert and Linda Ollis, Michael’s parents and the founders of the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation. “We were blessed with an amazing turnout and incredible partnership from the New Dorp merchants, the Siller Foundation, elected officials, sponsors, the FDNY, NYPD, and multiple branches of the U.S. Military in attendance, not to mention hundreds of runners and participants. With the community’s support again this year, we’re excited to put on an even bigger and better race for Mike!”

MISSION OF THE SSG OLLIS FREEDOM FOUNDATION & ANNUAL 5K:

The mission of the Annual SSG Michael Ollis Memorial 5K Run, whose motto is “Live Like Mike, Run for Mike” is 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 programs for veterans.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis

In 2013, SSG Michael Ollis, a New Dorp native, 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.

TENTATIVE EVENT DETAILS:

The race route and run-of-show will be virtually the same as last year. The event program will begin at 8:30 AM on Sunday, June 10th, 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, children’s activities including a special Kid’s Race, and various vendors/merchants to follow (10AM – 12PM). The routefor the 5K will entail a loop around the Staten Island Railway (SIR) between Ross Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, with an abridged 2-mile route for walkers. After the race, an awards ceremony and street festival will take place on New Dorp Lane between New Dorp Plaza and 10th Street.

 The race/event, hosted by the SSG Ollis Freedom Foundation, is a partnership among multiple organizations, agencies, and volunteers. Nick Iacono will return as the Race Director for the Second Annual Run and will be joined by Race Co-Chairs Andrew Guido, Daniel Clark, and Michael Ollis’ sisters Kimberly Ollis-Loschiavo and Kelly Ollis-Manzolillo. Returning members of the planning committee include Camille Hoover, Frank Lewis, and Frank Santoro, as well as Angie Chwatko of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union. Rich Re of ScoreYourRace.com will also return as the official race time-keeper this year. Special thanks to Lieutenant Rafet Awad and Detective Kevin Medefint of the 122 Precinct for their assistance and support.

 *Further information regarding sponsors/partnering organizations and the full run-of-show will be forthcoming. All details may be subject to change*

 Tentative Event Schedule:

8:30 AM

Opening Ceremony Begins- National Anthem & Remarks at Corner of New Dorp Lane & New Dorp Plaza S

(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)

 ***

Website: www.ssgollis.org

Facebook: SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation

Event Details/Registration:

runsignup.com/Race/NY/StatenIsland/Ollis

Questions? E-mail: OllisRace@gmail.com