Last week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense presented Spirit of America with an award recognizing our significant assistance to Ukrainian soldiers and civilian volunteers. CEO Jim Hake also received a medal honoring him as a partner to the Ministry of Defense who has made a significant personal contribution to Ukraine’s military units. The awards were presented by Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Polishchuk and State Secretary Konstantyn Vashchenko.

Spirit of America has delivered over 165 tons of lifesaving assistance — $23mm in aid — to support Ukrainian soldiers.

This award is a huge honor. There are many organizations, governments, and individuals supporting Ukraine right now. No other private organization has been recognized by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. For Spirit of America to be the first is remarkable. The award validates the work we’re doing to save lives on the front lines and help Ukraine win this war.

It’s truly because of supporters like you that we have been able to make this tangible difference to the men and women of Ukraine. Your generosity and investment in Spirit of America, along with our relationships in Ukraine dating back to 2014, enabled us to establish the infrastructure needed to deliver aid quickly and exactly where it is needed most.

No one else is providing lifesaving aid to Ukrainian soldiers at the scale or speed we are. And it’s being recognized and lauded at the highest levels of Ukraine’s military and government.

This doesn’t mean our work is over. Certainly, the war is not.

Spirit of America has outfitted nearly 10,000 soldiers with bulletproof and ballistic helmets. That’s the equivalent of outfitting all US Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and Marine Special Forces.

But there are 117,000 civilian volunteers in the Territorial Defense Forces, and many are still deploying without basic protective gear and medical supplies that could determine whether or not they survive. Your support is still urgently needed.