UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS AND THE SERHIY PRYTULA CHARITY FOUNDATION RAISE USD $1.2M FOR DEMINING VEHICLES

The Ukrainian World Congress and the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, have completed their nine-day fundraising tour “Непереможні, Коли Об’єднані – Invincible When United” in the eastern regions of Canada and the United States.

Six community meetings were held over nine days in a “fireside chat” format, featuring conversations with Serhiy Prytula and UWC President Paul Grod or UWC’s “Unite with Ukraine” initiative director Andrew Potichnyj. The events featured short video presentations and a question-and-answer session. Discussions revolved around the volunteer movement, effectively supporting Ukraine’s Defense Forces and the current situation on the frontlines of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The events aimed to answer the question, “How can we do more and be more effective working as a united Ukrainian global force?”

The purpose of the visits to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Chicago was to increase awareness and raise funds to assist in the safe humanitarian demining of the Kherson Region. The Ukrainian World Congress and the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation are pleased to announce the outcome of our joint fundraising campaign.

Total funds collected: USD $1,192,283.19 or 45,733,916.00 Ukrainian Hryvnia that will be used to procure and deliver more than 20 Land Rover Snatch, an armored military version of the Land Rover Defender to strengthen and support the demining work of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. Once procured, the armored vehicles will be delivered jointly by the two collaborating organizations.

(the procurement process is currently underway, and the exact number of vehicles procured can only be announced following a signed agreements with suppliers)

“We have shown great unity in our collaboration towards a common goal – achieving victory for Ukraine. As a team, we will acquire armored vehicles for demining operations. Supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been the primary objective of the UWC since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We are all part of Ukraine’s struggle and victory. We must think daily about what we can do to help Ukraine succeed. We cannot afford to stop working towards our goal; time is of the essence. We need to continue working towards our shared vision and encourage Ukrainians and our friends to support Ukraine,” said Paul Grod, President of UWC.

“At times of war it’s crucial for our existence to keep unity. And even an ocean is not an obstacle for people united with an idea to support the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The synergy of volunteers always gives good results. I believe our project with the Ukrainian World Congress will inspire other charities and volunteers. I would like to thank all our partners, donors and everyone who attended our public meetings. It doesn’t matter what country passport you carry. Your Ukrainian heart is what matters”, said Serhiy Prytula, Ukrainian volunteer and founder of the Prytula Foundation.

“At times of war it’s crucial for our existence to keep unity. And even an ocean is not an obstacle for people united with an idea to support the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The synergy of volunteers always gives good results. I believe our project with the Ukrainian World Congress will inspire other charities and volunteers. I would like to thank all our partners, donors and everyone who attended our public meetings. It doesn’t matter what country’s passport you carry. Your Ukrainian heart is what matters”, said Serhiy Prytula, Ukrainian volunteer and founder of the Prytula Foundation.

“The significant amount of funds raised and our collective effort demonstrate the Ukrainian diaspora’s immense power when working together, and cooperating with organizations and institutions in Ukraine. It is clear that when we collaborate and synchronize our actions, we can achieve great steps towards a common goal. It is crucial to remember that each dollar donated has a significant impact, and that no contribution is too small. Our strength lies in our unity; through collaboration, we can achieve remarkable and highly effective outcomes,” said Andrew Potichnyj, director of the UWC’s “Unite with Ukraine initiative.

The Ukrainian World Congress and the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our “Title Sponsor” Meest Corporation and Meest America Inc., and our “Tour Sponsors”: Rodan Energy Solutions, U.S. Medical Glove Company, The Heritage Foundation – 1st Security Federal Savings Bank, Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, Blue Tactical LLC, Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, and BCU Financial.

The Ukrainian World Congress and the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation would like to thank our partners and friends, without whom this tour would not have been possible: Ukrainian Canadian Congress – National, their president Alexandra Chyczij and CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, George and Rayla Myhal, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Ottawa Branch and their interim president Cassian Soltykevych, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral and Father Taras Kinash, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv, Volodymyr Palagniuk, Matthew Samulewski, the Romas Family, Fédération nationale ukrainienne-Québeс and their president Taras Kulish, Nestor Lewyckyj, Yevgen Kravchenko, Tanya Bednarczyk, Iryna Mazur – Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia, Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Archangel Michael, Olga Zarichynska, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Philadelphia Branch, Anatoli Murha, Trident Business Club Chicago, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Illinois Division and their president Dr. Maria Dmytriv-Kapenyak, Ukrainian Cultural Center Chicago, Roman Panychevny – MoLoKo, Saint Javelin Inc., and its founder Christian Borys, and finally, tour organizers Olga Mozkova and Ania Jacyniak.

The Ukrainian World Congress and the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation would like to express our gratitude towards our major gift-matching donors, George and Rayla Myhal and the Myhal Family Foundation. Their extraordinary pledge to match all donations collected during the joint UWC-Prytula Foundation fundraising tour has helped us surpass our initial fundraising goals. The Myhal Family Foundation has made an unprecedented contribution of $740,000, which, when combined with the funds raised across all platforms and donors, has resulted in an incredible final tally of nearly $1.2 million. *All funds listed in USD.

We thank every donor and supporter, whether you contributed $1, $75,000, or any number in between. Every dollar counts, and every financial contribution matters. Our power is in our numbers; together, we achieved an unbelievable result.

The #UniteWithUkraine platform is a charitable initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress aimed at raising funds to procure and deliver essential tactical medical supplies, armored vehicles, drones, and other essential equipment to aid Ukraine’s defenders. Since February 2022, #UniteWithUkraine has raised over $55 million from donors in over 70 countries to support the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other Ukrainian security structures.

The Serhiy Prytula Foundation is one of the largest Ukrainian charitable organizations that assists Ukraine’s Defense Forces and civilians affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war. It is involved in acquiring and supplying vehicles, drones, thermal imagers, communications equipment, and medicines as well as humanitarian aid for communities. The Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation has raised $174 million USD since February 24, 2022.