Our Foundation - Our Organizing Ukraine Relief Foundation

06/27/2026

Our hearts are full of gratitude after visiting St.Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church - New Britain CT.

We were incredibly touched by the warmth and generosity of the parish community, who organized a special collection to support the Ukrainian defenders currently in the United States through OUR Foundation's rehabilitation program. Together, the parish raised an incredible $4,100 to help provide prosthetic care, rehabilitation, and hope to those who have sacrificed so much for Ukraine.

A very special thank you goes to 13-year-old Ivan, who took it upon himself to make a difference by running his own lemonade stand and raising an amazing $400 for our soldiers. His kindness, compassion, and initiative are an inspiration to us all and a reminder that making a difference has no age limit.

During our visit, our soldiers were honored to present Ivan with an OUR Foundation Recognition of Volunteer Service Award in appreciation of his generosity and heartfelt support. Seeing a young person step forward to help those who have sacrificed so much for their country gives all of us hope for the future.

We are also deeply grateful to Ivan's mother, Ivana, for organizing our visit and bringing the community together in support of our mission. Thank you for your dedication and for opening your hearts to our heroes.

To the parishioners, thank you for your extraordinary generosity, your prayers, and for making our soldiers feel so welcomed. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Father Stephan Bereza for his blessing, warm hospitality, and steadfast support of Ukraine and our defenders. Your leadership helped make this meaningful day possible.

Every act of kindness, every prayer, and every donation helps our wounded defenders take another step toward recovery, independence, and a brighter future.

From all of us at OUR Foundation, and especially from the soldiers you welcomed, thank you. Your compassion and generosity will leave a lasting impact on the lives of the heroes you are helping to heal.

🇺🇦💙💛

06/09/2026

🇺🇦 Meet Yevhen Buksha, one of the Ukrainian defenders currently in the United States through OUR Foundation's rehabilitation program.

Yevhen was born in Sevastopol in 1997. After losing his father at just three years old, he moved with his mother to Kryvyi Rih, where he spent his childhood and built the foundation for his future. He studied electrical engineering and worked at a machine building factory before Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine changed the course of his life.

When the war began, Yevhen immediately volunteered to defend his country. Despite being turned away because he had no military experience, he refused to stand aside and joined local volunteer efforts constructing defensive fortifications around his city. Determined to serve, he successfully enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine on November 24, 2022, joining the Air Assault Forces as an infantry fighting vehicle gunner-operator.

During intense combat near Bilohorivka, Yevhen suffered a devastating injury while helping repel a Russian assault. The injury resulted in an above knee amputation and began a long and difficult road to recovery.

But Yevhen's story is not defined by loss.

During rehabilitation, he met Maria, a rehabilitation specialist who would later become his wife. According to Yevhen, "It was much easier to assault enemy positions than it was to win Maria's heart." After seven months of persistence, Maria said yes.

Their story became one of mutual strength and inspiration. With Yevhen's unwavering support, Maria went on to win a silver medal in shot put at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Meanwhile, Yevhen discovered a passion for para cycling and earned the title of Candidate for Master of Sport in Cycling.

Today, Yevhen is in the United States preparing for advanced rehabilitaion care. He trains every day with the same determination that carried him through war, recovery, and the challenges that followed.

Please join us in wishing Yevhen success on his rehabilitation journey and in thanking him for his sacrifice, resilience, and service to Ukraine.

💙💛 Heroes are not defined by what they lose, but by how they rise afterward.

06/06/2026

What a wonderful evening for our Ukrainian defenders at Clover Stadium!

Thank you New York Boulders Baseball for welcoming our soldiers and giving them the opportunity to enjoy a fun and relaxing night at the ballpark. Experiences like these are an important part of the healing journey, providing moments of connection, community, and joy beyond the challenges of rehabilitation.

We are especially grateful to Sak from Osprept, who works closely with our soldiers as their physical therapist, for arranging this special outing. Sak's support extends far beyond the clinic. He is invested in helping our defenders rebuild not only their physical strength, but also their confidence and quality of life.

Thank you for helping create meaningful memories and reminding our heroes that their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated.

05/29/2026

Meet Viktor Haidamanchuk, one of the newest Ukrainian defenders to arrive in the United States through OUR Foundation for rehabilitation.

Born in 1982, Viktor began his military journey serving in the Special Purpose Border Guard Unit from 2004–2005, where he was entrusted with protecting the President of Ukraine and other high ranking state officials. After completing his service, he returned to civilian life, working in various industries from banking to manufacturing. In 2010, Viktor married his wife Oksana, and together they welcomed their son, Denys.

When Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, Viktor voluntarily returned to service with the Rapid Response Border Guard Command of the Zhytomyr Border Detachment. In January 2025, while defending Ukraine near Klishchiivka in the Donetsk region, Viktor sustained a devastating injury. Despite doctors’ long and determined efforts to save his leg, it ultimately had to be amputated.

After a long recovery process in Ukraine, Viktor learned about OUR Foundation and applied for rehabilitation support in the United States. Within just one month, our team coordinated his visa, travel, and transportation to America so he could begin the next stage of his recovery journey.

We hope Viktor will receive not only life changing physical rehabilitation and advanced prosthetic care, but also the emotional healing and renewed strength needed to return home and continue living a full and meaningful life.

Please join us in supporting the rehabilitation of Ukraine’s wounded defenders. Every donation helps provide prosthetics, rehabilitation, transportation, housing, and hope to those who sacrificed so much for their country. 🇺🇦

03/31/2026

Meeting Vladyslav Heraskevych, Ukraine’s Olympic skeleton athlete, was a powerful reminder that the strength of Ukraine is carried by its people.

03/07/2026

Yesterday in Bowling Green Park, members of our community gathered as the Ukrainian flag was raised to mark four years since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine.

The ceremony was originally planned for February 23 but had to be postponed due to weather. Despite the delay, it was meaningful to finally come together in the heart of New York to reflect, remember, and stand united in support of Ukraine.

One of the most powerful moments of the day was watching our Ukrainian defenders take part in raising the flag. Seeing the very men who have sacrificed so much for their country lift Ukraine’s flag high in New York was a reminder of the courage and resilience that continues to inspire the world.

The ceremony was made even more special by the beautiful performance of the national anthem of Ukraine Viktoriya Vennikova.

Thank you to the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York for bringing the community together, and to all who helped make the event possible, including the Постійне представництво України при ООН / Perm Mission of Ukraine to the UN, Svitanok, the Bowling Green Association, and Andrij Dobriansky.

Four years later, we continue to honor those who gave their lives, support those still defending freedom, and stand firmly with Ukraine.

03/06/2026

02/27/2026

Our Foundation - Our Organizing Ukraine Relief Foundation

02/25/2026

Today, we honor Ukrainian women— and especially the women who choose to volunteer, to step forward, to carry more than they should have to.

They don’t do it for recognition.
They do it because it needs to be done.

Strong. Resilient. Unbreakable. You are the strength behind it all.