On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. While US media coverage and attention span has weaned, what remains active is a full-scale war and an unrelenting humanitarian support effort by GovCon leader Gary Rubalsky, Chief Growth Officer at Sparksoft. We took a minute to catch up with Gary and to learn more about this effort and how the community has, and can continue to be, involved.
The Drive
Born in the capital city of Kiev and with in-laws and extended family still in Ukraine, what has been happening there is something the Rubalsky family feels on a personal level. “The families, the children living through this war will have this traumatic experience that will be felt for many generations. What they continue to live through and the long-term mental health impact is unimaginable.”
On a professional level, Sparksoft’s philanthropic culture and community service supporting charities such as Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Veterans with PTSD, local STEM programs, and UNICEF Children of Ukraine, fuel the passion to make a difference.
Direct Support
With the initial shock came the question of what could be done from halfway around the world. Noting that many big organizations stood up funds to offer support, there was also recognition that many people wished to know directly how their donations were helping, to be more engaged with the people on the ground. The Rubalsky family put in place a plan with their close ties in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian relief directly into their hands.
Through a longtime friend who was volunteering at hospitals, helping the wounded, trying to find homes for refugees fleeing hot zones, a channel for direct support was established and has been ongoing since April 2022. Over time the most critical needs have been medical supplies, blankets throughout the winter, and groceries.
“There was a need for stretchers at one time to carry the wounded so our funds covered that. Another time there was an organization that offered to cook stews for the soldiers free of charge and our donations covered the raw meat and ingredients. Our volunteer constantly looks for what is most needed at a specific time and ways to make the most out of what we can provide her to maximize the value and impact of our funds.”
GoFundMe Fund
Through a transparent and ongoing GoFundMe effort, donations from friends and family, from Sparksoft colleagues and from the GovCon community, have so far raised over $16,000. The Rubalsky Family covers all administrative fees such as GoFundMe transactions and WesternUnion transfers so that every penny donated is fully accounted for and gets into the hands of the on-the-ground volunteer for direct aid.
“There are donors who give on a regular basis, some whose names we see every time we push an update, and others who have given a few very generous sums. In at least some cases we know it is Veterans who truly understand the cost of war. Others have opened up their homes to offer housing to refugees.”
Still in awe of the trust donors continue to place in him, Gary is committed to continuing to serve as this channel for those who want to show their support for as long as this senseless war lasts. “The $16K we have raised may not be massive compared to efforts of the bigger organizations, but with every aid we deliver there is a reminder to the brave Ukrainian civilians and defenders that they are not forgotten, that compassionate people across the world sympathize with what they are facing and want to help.”
Not Over Yet
Noting that the Ukraine is just barely out of a harsh winter that saw electricity and heat rationed, the death toll and damage to the country continuing to be amplified, the mental boost, that psychological boost of knowing they are not alone, is something we can easily get behind.
“The support we have seen thus far shows the awesome power of community rallying around a meaningful cause, how strangers can make a real difference in the lives of people they will likely never meet, and the tangible and intangible impact in ways that can never be fully comprehended.”
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Heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues for the incredible support with this cause and thanks to OrangeSlices AI for helping to spread the message. ❤️ ???????? ????????