Full video link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8PphcoLXRGjVTFPREZMNmtwV2s
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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
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Rolling Thunder Poker Run
- The 2nd Annual SSG Michael Ollis Poker Run will take place on April 26th at the VFW Post 9587 on 575 Mill Rd. in Staten Island, NY.
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Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 and VFW Post 9587 hosting 2nd Annual Poker Run.
Registration ($20/hand) begins at 1100 at the VFW Post.
- Players will leave on their route at 1200 and must return by 1430.
- Winners will be announced at the after party.
- All proceeds will go to the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation.
Thank you to the Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 Bike Club for organizing this fun event.
Please contact Jimmy Carter for additional information: bbqmasterjimmyc at gmail.com
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Join us on May 6th for an Evening to Honor VI
United Staten Island Veterans Organization (USIVO) will donate proceeds towards the design and Completion of SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Memorial from the fundraising event on May 6th.
To All Our Members and Supporting Community, This year the United Staten Island Veterans Organization will be having its 5th annual fundraising event, “An Evening to Honor VI” at Staten Island’s Hilton Garden Inn on Wednesday, May 06th, 2015. This year’s Honoree’s will be Staten Island University Hospital-North & South sites and Marine Corps League Staten Island Detachment #246. Also the investure of the 2015 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Joseph DiGiovanni and Parade Chaplain Rev. Roy Cole.
The evening’s proceeds will go towards the design and Completion of the monument in Honor of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Freedom memorial at Petrides School on Ocean Terrace in June. Past events have helped Afghanistan War Veteran, Army Specialist Bryan Dilberian, Iraq War Veteran Brendan Marrocco, and Staff Sgt. Michael Brown Afghanistan war Veteran. Also Proceeds help other Staten Island Veterans when necessary.
Last year USIVO had over 600 people attending a spectacular event, this year we hope to top that. I hope you can attend this very patriotic event for a great cause. Please contact one of our Committee Members for more details of the event.
For additional information on how to reserve your seat and/or table at this special event, download the form here: USIVO ETH VI PACKAGE, or navigate to the USIVO Facebook page.
Deadline for reservations is by Friday, April 25, 2015. If you have any questions, please call Jim at 718-987-1609 or 917-670-8742. Thank you for your support!
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Polish baby named after Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, hero soldier from Staten Island
Article Referenced From SI Live: http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/polish_baby_named_after_hero_s.html
By
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A newborn baby in Poland carries the name of a hero soldier from Staten Island who died two years ago saving the life of the infant’s father.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, 24, a lifelong resident of New Dorp, sacrificed his life on Aug. 28, 2013, while shielding Lt. Karol Cierpica from a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.
Newborn baby Michael Cierpica lies with a teddy bear made from the Army fatigues of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, the soldier from New Dorp who sacrificed his life saving the infant’s father during an attack in Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of Ollis family)
Earlier this month, the Polish soldier became the proud father of a baby boy he named in honor of Ollis.
Robert Ollis and his wife, Linda, called the tribute to their son “unexpected” and “wonderful.”
“I thought of the baby as a grandson,” Ollis Sr. said “We are very happy and honored.”
To thank Cierpica and his wife, the Ollis family sent the couple a teddy bear they had specially made out of their son’s Army fatigues. The gift comes from a charity organization — the Matthew Freeman Project — which offers the free service to families of fallen soldiers.
They’re hoping to meet “Little Michael” in person next time Cierpica visits them in New York. Last summer, the Ollises traveled to Poland, where they visited with Cierpica and his wife and the Polish soldiers who’d served at the same base in Afghanistan with Sgt. Ollis and Cierpica.
“We’d like to see them again soon with Little Michael,” Ollis said.
Last year, Ollis and his wife started a charity in their son’s name — the Staff Sgt. Ollis Freedom Foundation, to help soldiers and veterans.
“We just want to help a young man or woman going into the service like Michael,” Ollis said.
