7 On Your Side restores veterans' charity phone number

Friday, November 10, 2023
NEW DORP, Staten Island (WABC) -- Ten years ago, a 24-year-old Army sergeant from Staten Island made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Michael Ollis was killed while shielding another soldier from a suicide bomber during an attack on a U.S. base in Afghanistan.

Among Ollis' honors, which include a bronze star and a Purple Heart, a Staten Island Ferry was named for the hometown hero last February, when the SSG Michael H Ollis set sail.
[Ads /]
His family also created a foundation to help veterans, but they recently hit a blockade when their landline, the charity's lifeline for donations, went AWOL.

The headquarters of the Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation is located in the heart of Bob and Linda's Staten Island home - the home their son, Michael grew up in.

Ollis died on his third tour while saving a Polish soldier during a raid on forward-operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan.

To carry on his legacy, the Ollis' dedicated his charity to helping veterans right in their community.



The family relies on the generosity of others - some reach out on the charity's Facebook, but most use the foundation's landline.

In September, the calls suddenly stopped coming. This happened after switching phone providers - they lost both the home number they had for 40 years and the nonprofit number.
[Ads /]
After a month and a half of trying to get their lines back, just like their motto 'Live Like Mike,' the Ollis' knew they couldn't give up that easily. They called 7 On Your Side to help them get back in business.

The foundation phone number was back just in time for the family's special trip to Poland, where a Polish army dining hall was dedicated to Michael. They also got to see the Lieutenant who Michael saved in Afghanistan and his son, who the Lieutenant named Michael, honoring the young sergeant from New York who bravely gave his own life to save others.



Linda and Bob Ellis thanked 7 On Your Side.



"From the bottom of our hearts, you save us so much worry, you came along like magic - you got it done. Thank you, 7 On Your Side. We love it, we watch every day," they said.

ALSO READ | Community rallies in support of café owner after workers walk out in protest over conflict in Gaza
Community supports café owner after workers walk out over war dispute


----------
SHARE YOUR STORY

Do you have an issue with a company that you haven't been able to resolve? If so, 7 On Your Side wants to help you!

Fill out the form below or email your questions, issues, or story ideas by filling out the form below or by emailing 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com.



All emails MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND CELLPHONE NUMBER. Without a phone number, 7 On Your Side will not be able to respond.
[Ads /]


----------
* More Staten Island news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube


Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News


Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.