Operation Give Back Marks Fifth Year Supporting Glens Falls Veterans
Operation Give Back is set to celebrate its fifth anniversary on May 16 with a full day of live music, food, and community camaraderie at Slickfin Brewing Company in Fort Edward. Founder Jacque Ecuyer of the 4s4Life Foundation created the free public event so that 100 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to local veteran organizations serving the Glens Falls area.
The Spark That Started It All
The idea for Operation Give Back came during a casual conversation at Slickfin Brewing Company’s bar. Ecuyer, whose brother-in-law is a Marine and whose family has deep military ties, looked around the taproom one day and noticed something missing. There were no events in the region dedicated solely to veterans where all proceeds stayed local. He turned to co-owner Heather March and floated the thought of hosting a military appreciation day.
Her eyes lit up. She called her husband Kris over, and the three of them planned the first event in just three days. That inaugural year, they raised thirty-five hundred dollars. Ecuyer remembers thinking one thousand dollars an hour was incredible for a brand-new effort. What began as a simple gathering has grown each year exponentially through word of mouth and steady community support.
Now in its fifth year, the event draws an estimated fifteen hundred people in and out throughout the day. Ecuyer and his founding partners, including the March family at Slickfin Brewing and Allen LaPelle of Vested Veteran Grill, have built something that feels like an extended military family reunion.
A Day Built for Veterans and Families
The 2026 anniversary runs from noon until around ten p.m. at Slickfin Brewing Company, located at 147 Broadway in Fort Edward. Attendees will enjoy continuous live music that starts with solo and duo acts and moves into full bands later in the day. Multiple food trucks will offer barbecue, pizza, and kid-friendly options so families can stay longer.
Raffles and a silent auction will feature items donated from across the country, including woodworking pieces, event tickets, hotel stays, and baskets from Black Rifle Coffee Company. Sponsor shirts, including those from Five Towers Media, will be on sale for one hundred dollars each, giving local businesses affordable advertising while showing their support for veterans.
Everything happens rain or shine under large tents, with cornhole, fire pits, and plenty of seating on the brewery’s expansive outdoor patio. There is no entry fee. Veterans and their families receive special vouchers for the first thousand dollars in food purchases thanks to partner Adirondack Peer to Peer. The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed so veterans can share stories, laugh, cry, and simply feel appreciated in their own community.
Every Dollar Stays Right Here
What sets Operation Give Back apart is its zero-overhead model. The venue is donated. Bands and musicians give their time for free. Food trucks return a portion of sales without being asked. A professional sound engineer donates the entire production, and a dedicated team of volunteers handles setup and raffles.
Because there are no costs to cover, one hundred percent of proceeds flow straight to local veteran groups. Each founding partner selects a beneficiary to keep decisions fair. Past recipients have included the Adirondack Veterans House, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, VFW and American Legion posts, and other organizations that serve Washington, Warren, and Saratoga counties.
Ecuyer deliberately avoids large national nonprofits. He wants donors and attendees to know exactly where their money goes. When someone attends with family, they can trust that every raffle ticket or shirt purchase helps neighbors who served, whether through housing support, wellness programs, or community events like Toys for Tots.
This year, the Marine Corps League is expected to be among the beneficiaries. Ecuyer recently joined the group as a civilian member and witnessed firsthand the work they do for veterans and the broader community.
Building Purpose and Connection
Ecuyer often speaks about the deeper reason behind the event. He believes purpose keeps people sharp and young. He watched older men retire and lose direction once that sense of mission disappeared. Operation Give Back gives veterans a day to reconnect with one another and reminds the community of the sacrifices they made.
A moment of silence and a live guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, midway through the day, honors those who gave everything. Last year, a Tim McGraw song about a fallen soldier movingly affected many veterans in attendance, allowing them to drop their tough exterior and simply feel supported.
The fifth anniversary continues that tradition while expanding reach. An April bowling fundraiser called No Pins Left Behind will serve as a kickoff event. Sponsorships remain available, and raffle donations are welcome. Anyone interested can visit operationgiveback.us for the latest details or find Ecuyer via his Facebook page.
By keeping everything local and every dollar accountable, Operation Give Back proves that one conversation over craft beer can grow into lasting support for the veterans who call the Glens Falls region home. The fifth year promises to be the biggest yet, all while staying true to its roots of gratitude, purpose, and community.
