Our Mission
The Veteran Community continues to grow larger, older and more in need. We want to fill the gap left by Veteran Affairs and other services. With the help of good people, we make a difference in the lives of the Veterans around us.
We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have fought for our freedom. And through our efforts we offer a tangible and enduring form of gratitude.
In 2013 the Maryvale Revitalization Corporation asked contractor Charlie Ellis to renovate the kitchen of a veteran in need. Charlie and others answered the call. The project provided all who participated with a great sense of accomplishment and desire to do even more for veterans in need. Shortly after, Operation Enduring Gratitude (OEG) was born.
An estimated 600,000+ veterans live in Arizona with many in need. Most are too proud to accept assistance and their challenges are unknown to others. Our vision is to bring a quality standard of home living to those that have served and sacrificed for their country and community. With your support we will not fail our veterans.
The success of Operation Enduring Gratitude (OEG) is based on connecting the community and organizations willing to contribute time, talent and resources with veterans in need. We build and update lists of volunteers, companies, skilled tradespeople and anyone who supports the mission. When a need is identified, OEG uses these lists to organize response and meet the needs of veterans. Contact us today and let us know how you can help.
We are always looking for people, skilled tradesmen, groups, companies and ANYONE with a desire to help veterans. We welcome your assistance.
Who We Are
Charlie Ellis (CEO/Founder)
Founder of Operation Enduring Gratitude in 2014,10 years of Military Experience (AZNG), District (1 )Board Member WEST-MEC School, Member of Maryvale Planning Committee, Owner of C Ellis Construction.
Alan Gaugert (Chairman)
Mike Booher (Director)
Mike is Director of Restore Planning at Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering at University of Arizona and became a commercial Flight Instructor. He proudly served our country (USAF) Vietnam Veteran
Nina Linquata (Director)
Nina started at a young age with community activism with her mother and carried that love into her adulthood, being a caregiving with her career, and started with Operation Enduring Gratitude at the beginning of 2016.
Laurie Stiner (Director)
Laurie is a graduate of SUNY Brockport with a BS degree in Health Science and worked many years in Healthcare before retiring and becoming full-time advocate for Disabled Veterans. Loving mother to a daughter and two fur animals.
Suzanne Corkum (Board Secretary)
Suzanne is no stranger to the Non-Profit world as she has worked for CommonSpirit Health (Dignity Health) for 17 years (a not-for-profit public-benefit healthcare system that operates hospitals and ancillary care for facilities across the nation) in administrative, event planning and administrative management capacities. Suzanne is passionate about philanthropy. She was a board member for Drive By Blessings (another non-profit that helps veterans) for several years, volunteers for St. Joseph’s foundation, Dignity Health East Valley Foundation, animal rescue organizations and St. Mary’s Food Bank, to name a few. She is married with 4 canine kids and resides in the Tramonto area in Phoenix, AZ.
