Backpacks.

Tis the season for building some backpacks for Ukrainian military personnel on the front lines of this Russian invasion.

October 19 kicks off Phase 3 of fundraising to help in supporting those who are in support. At RU4Children we have classified our mission into “Phases” in order to conform to our mission and steward finances accordingly.

Phase 1 ‘Get the girls out’ allowed us to evacuate hundreds of my friends, women and children, from the Eastern front of the war into safe homes all over Europe.

Phase 2 ‘Prepare my men’ was getting all my young men, former orphan boys, situated and in a place where they could thrive during this time whether it’s through business, through service, or through the military.

Now the hook!!

Phase 3 ‘Winter Warriors’

Ukrainian winters are not like winters here in the US. Winters in Ukraine are brutal, take my advice it’s tough on the soul.

At the end of August, I visited with soldiers who had been on the frontline for 6 months. They were weary and tired but willing to ask me what their greatest needs are and how we could help. Every soldier answered that they needed military-grade backpacks especially as they move into the winter. Currently, they are carrying small, poorly made backpacks purchased at local markets and some of them were children’s backpacks.

As many of you may know I am a Marine veteran and I know how war well enough to know that having your personal things and a weeks worth of supplies to keep you fed and fighting is worth it weight in gold. Together we decided that a 40L military-style pack would be a huge blessing to these men and women.

Nonprofits generally won’t touch this type of project. That is not the case with RU4Children we see that there’s a great cost being paid by the Ukrainian military and Ukrainian community. The love and care they receive today will be a great benefit to the future of Ukraine and the families who will call it home again one day.

My idea is to build 5000 40L backpacks full of helpful and needed items to keep them encouraged through the winter.

Follow the link below and make a donation based on how many backpacks you would like to be responsible for:

Traveling to Ukraine

Since February 2022 I’ve taken several trips to Ukraine in order to visit friends and acquaintances in Kharkiv and Kyiv. Many of my friends are former orphans that I’ve known for almost 20 years. These trips have also allowed me to see what’s happening on the ground, to evaluate any problems that we can come up with solutions for. We’ve been able to walk away with a very fair idea of what the need is where the need is, and what we can do.

The temperatures and the seasons seem to change with every trip.

What only ever seems to get worse with every trip are the consequences of war that can be seen on the faces of every Ukrainian. With any trip and in every household and community the need is different and urgent, and we serve faithfully as your steward.

Faithfully stewarding our call and yours is what we do. You are a giant part of this adventure that we’re all on. Helping distraught communities solve problems during times like these it’s great privilege and having a steadfast group of men and women who are praying for us, financing us, and going with us to help us see clearly every time is an awesome blessing to my family.

Please contact us directly if we can help you find your place in RU4Children so that you can leave an amazing legacy for future generations.

Urgent Update: They’re taking children!

Within the last two weeks, 76 more orphan children were taken from the occupied territories in Ukraine and transferred to Russia, and placed into social rehabilitation centers for minors.

It’s estimated that more than 7000 Ukrainian children have been taken in this fashion by the Russians since February 2022.

This is child slavery!!!

If Ukrainians are called dogs publicly and politically by the Russian president, then surely these children are going to be treated worse than dogs. Human trafficking across Ukrainian to Russian borders is unacceptable. We are partnered with an international NGO that aims to fight all kinds of human slavery. We will keep you posted, and please keep these children in your prayers.

As for RU4Children we have had tremendous success in Ukraine over the past six months, and we’ve been able to accomplish getting hundreds of families out and into safe communities all over Europe. We’ve also provided thousands of families life-saving supplies including water, fresh food, clothing, and updated housing.

Thank you for your heartfelt response to our call to help. Together we have all made a massive difference in their world and in ours.