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Dan Cnossen’s visit to Ukrainian Rehabilitation and Paralympics Center

Veteran Rehabilitation /

Dan Cnossen, Former Navy Seal and US Paralympian, and Dr. Douglas Davis visit Rehab and Paralympics Center in Ukraine

In April, Dr. Douglas Davis embarked on a poignant and memorable journey to Ukraine with his friends from the Mountain Seed Foundation (MSF). Among the many impactful moments of the trip, the most profound experience was accompanying his friend and Mountain Seed Foundation board member, Dan Cnossen, to the Ukrainian Rehabilitation and Paralympics Center in Western Ukraine. Dr. Davis had visited this center before, but this time was different. This time, it was personal.

For the past year, Dr. Davis, his family, and several organizations they work with have been deeply involved in supporting the rehabilitation efforts for Ukraine’s wounded warriors at this remarkable center. Over time, they had built strong connections with the staff and their leader, Valeriy Sushkevich, President of the Ukrainian Paralympics Committee and a former member of Parliament. The dedication and excellence of the team at the center had left a lasting impression on Dr. Davis and his colleagues, both medical and non-medical. They were all struck by the resilience and determination of the people they met there.

However, being at the center with Dan Cnossen, a Paralympic champion and former Navy SEAL, added a new layer of depth to the visit. Dr. Davis watched in awe as Dan effortlessly connected with Ukrainian soldiers and amputees, many of whom were training and rehabilitating alongside Ukrainian athletes Dan had competed against for years. The bond between Dan and the soldiers was immediate and powerful, but one connection stood out among the rest—his interaction with a young soldier named Anatoly.

Anatoly’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. He hails from a small village north of Lviv and, like many others, had volunteered to fight when the war began. He was only 18 years old at the time. Now 20, Anatoly had served as a sniper until a paralyzing spinal cord injury in August of the previous year changed his life forever. After leaving the hospital, he arrived at the Paralympics Center for rehabilitation, where Dr. Davis and his surgical colleagues from MedGlobal first met him in December.

Since then, Anatoly has made remarkable progress. His determination propels him to train for the Paralympics biathlon team — the same sport that Dan excelled in. But despite his physical recovery, Anatoly carriea a heavy emotional burden. He has not returned home since the war started, finding it too depressing. His father and two brothers were still on the front lines, with his father now missing in action. To make matters worse, Anatoly had just lost one of his closest friends in the conflict, killed in action near Chasiv Yar.

During their time together at the center, Anatoly and Dan formed a deep connection. Anatoly was eager to learn from Dan, asking him how he had transitioned from being a soldier to living with a disability and ultimately becoming a Paralympics champion. Dan offered advice and shared his experiences, but Dr. Davis sensed that the bond between them was more about fellowship than counsel. Anatoly’s fierce competitive spirit was evident, especially when he and Dan engaged in a friendly game of pool, where Anatoly emerged victorious.

As their visit came to an end, Dan made a promise to Anatoly — if he made it to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, Dan would be there to cheer him on. It was a promise rooted in mutual respect and the shared understanding of what it means to overcome adversity. Dr. Davis left the center deeply moved, knowing that the connections made during this trip would have a lasting impact on everyone involved.

Dan Cnossen’s visit to Ukrainian Rehabilitation and Paralympics Center Read More »

Ukraine war: Five dead and a million without power after wave of Russian strikes

Call to Action: Emergency Response after Largest Attack on Energy Infrastructure

Humanitarian Aid /

Call to Action: Emergency Response after Largest Attack on Energy Infrastructure

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In a devastating turn of events, the peace of the night was shattered as the skies over Kharkiv were lit with the dire consequences of conflict. A massive onslaught involving 150 drones and missiles targeted innocent civilians, leaving critical infrastructure in ruins. Among the hardest hit were the power facilities and the Kharkiv Dam, leading to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

As dawn broke, the extent of the damage became heartbreakingly clear. Over one million people across Ukraine now find themselves engulfed in darkness, with the vibrant city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and over 53,000 households in Odesa cut off from the world, without power. This attack on our energy grid marks the most significant escalation since 2022, plunging families, children, and the elderly into a cold and uncertain reality.

In response to this urgent crisis, the Be an Angel network has swiftly mobilized an emergency task force dedicated to bringing light and hope back to those affected. Our mission is to distribute generators across the impacted cities, prioritizing essential facilities such as orphanages, hospitals, and medical centers that serve as lifelines for our communities.

Your support has always been the backbone of our efforts, and today, we reach out to you with a heartfelt plea for assistance. With your generous donations, we can kickstart the immediate distribution of generators, ensuring that those in dire need receive the support and care they deserve during these dark times.

Friends of be an Angel & Be an Angel has already over one year experience with providing generators during an energy crisis in Ukraine. Previously, we have distributed over 1,715 generators in 2022. For our efforts, we were awarded the Gold Award at the 3rd Annual Anthem awards. Our logistics and distribution network have been reactivated and are ready to launch in response to the attacks today.

2 5kwgenerator

2.5 kW Generator for Home or Shelter Use

Max AC Output (kW): 2.5 kW
Rated Voltage (V): 380/230
Alternator: Copper Wire
Engine type: 4-stroke OHV, air cooled, 3 phase
Weight: 34.5 kG
Price: 250 USD

12kwgenerator

12 kW Generator for Hospitals

Max AC Output (kW): 12-400v/11- 230V
Rated Voltage (V): 400/230
Alternator: Copper Wire
Engine type: 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, OHV
Weight: 169 kG
Price: 1,760 USD

Call to Action: Emergency Response after Largest Attack on Energy Infrastructure Read More »

Postcover saveourwidowedmotherscarepackageprogram

Women’s Day: Save Our Widowed Mothers Care Package Program

Care Packages /

Save our widowed mothers care package program

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For this upcoming Women’s Day, we are asking the community to help us save a care package program for widowed and single mothers in Ukraine. This warehouse is run and managed by a women’s organization known as “Women’s Movement for the Future”. They provide humanitarian aid and support for women across war-torn Ukraine.

Currently there are two women, Valentina and Ivanka, working in a warehouse preparing care packages for widows of soldiers, single mothers, the elderly and disabled. The full-scale invasion has severely deteriorated the economy of Ukraine. Social support structures for families and job opportunities have fallen apart. Widowed and single mothers suffer particularly from this hardship. Many schools have been closed or destroyed, and they are unable to leave their homes to provide for their children. Recently widowed mothers suddenly lose their source of income overnight, leaving them vulnerable while they grief for their loss. Unfortunately, in many instances, if the body of the husband is not found, they are classified as missing and the wife will not receive any death gratuity from the government, leaving the family to fend for themselves. For this reason, a care package program was started by this charity to provide thousands of families around the country with basic necessities. Currently there is a waitlist of over 12,500 mothers waiting for their care package.

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Every month, they prepare anywhere between 3000 to 5000 care packages. Each package contains sanitary items, diapers, baby formula, food for a week or whatever else the family requests. We also regularly send medicine, children’s clothing and toys which are then also distributed to refugee camps in the local area.

 

Previously, the warehouse was financed by personal funds and hundreds of hours volunteered. However, now as we enter the second year of the full-scale invasion, we are struggling to support them any further. Furthermore, they are having difficulty finding volunteers. Many volunteers have either been drafted or have left to support their own families, making it difficult to find new volunteers to support our program. The times are getting very difficult, and covering the costs is becoming exceptionally difficult.

How the funds will be spent:

The funds will be spent on rent and utilities for the warehouse and the care package program, as well as salaries for three volunteers. Costs for the care package program include cardboard boxes, postage, tape and other packing material. The funds will be managed by my organization and distributed to the warehouse team on a monthly basis. We have calculated that they need about $4,000 a month to cover all of this, so if we reach the goal I can support them for the next 10 months.

Women’s Day: Save Our Widowed Mothers Care Package Program Read More »

Distribution Begins of Friend's of Be an Angel's Largest Medicine Shipment to Ukraine Despite Weeks of Blockade by Polish Truckers

Medicine Shipment for Ukraine Despite Weeks of Blockade by Polish Truckers

Humanitarian Aid /

Distribution Begins of Friend's of Be an Angel's Largest Medicine Shipment to Ukraine Despite Weeks of Blockade by Polish Truckers

Distribution has begun of our biggest shipment to date. Three trucks containing 16.5 tons of medicine provided by IDA Foundation and sponsored by Give to the World and the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America were delivered late January, yielding a combined 15.6 million doses of antibiotics, pain management, adrenaline, insulin and more.

The first destination started with the cystic fibrosis (CF) department of the Lviv regional children’s hospital, where currently over 100 children with CF are staying. This comes at a desperate time when the EU is facing an extreme antibiotics and reagents shortage, making it significantly more difficult for Ukrainian hospitals to access them.

Additional locations are the hospitals in Uman and Lviv, as well as the Oncology Institute in Kyiv. Dozens of more locations will receive these medical supplies as distribution continues.

Blockade by Polish Trucker Demonstration impeded Delivery of Critical Humanitarian Aid

This comes after weeks of problem solving in which we opened a humanitarian corridor to allow the three trucks to pass through the Polish blockade of the Ukrainian border.

Cargo transit between Poland and Ukraine has been severely disrupted due to ongoing demonstrations by Polish truck drivers at key border crossings. The blockade began on November 6th, with Polish haulers imposing roadblocks in a demand to reinstate entry permits which the EU suspended last year as part of the Solidarity Lanes Initiative. This initiative was introduced to help Ukraine’s struggling export industry after Russia blocked Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports. Polish truckers accuse the initiative of causing a high number of Ukrainian drivers to enter Poland and haul goods from Poland to other countries, thereby undercutting local businesses that cannot match cheaper Ukrainian prices.

Over 3,000 trucks are backed up at the border crossings, with lines reaching up to 30 kilometers. Exhausted drivers are stuck in massive lines on both sides of the border, with expected waiting times reaching over one month at the Yahodyn – Darohusk crossing.

While an unofficial and difficult humanitarian aid corridor has been opened entering the country, the wait times for the same trucks returning has reached up to three weeks. Logistics companies have begun discontinuing humanitarian aid shipments to Ukraine for this reason.

Medicine Shipment for Ukraine Despite Weeks of Blockade by Polish Truckers Read More »

Advanced Wireless donates wi-fi access points to Friends of Be an Angel for schools in Irpin Ukraine

Friends of Be an Angel facilitates donation of 840 Wi-Fi access points to Sister City Irpin

Humanitarian Aid /

Advanced Wireless donates wi-fi access points to Friends of Be an Angel for schools in Irpin, Ukraine

Pictures by Lee Matz, Milwaukee Independant

A wireless technology firm based in Franklin is contributing more than 820 Wi-Fi access points to the city of Irpin, Ukraine, to aid the local education infrastructure there. Advanced Wireless, Inc. is making this donation to Milwaukee’s sister city, which has seen significant damage to its educational facilities, with 20 schools affected by the ongoing conflict with Russia. These Wi-Fi access points will be set up across the school district, extending connectivity to bomb shelters, hospitals, and government buildings.

To facilitate the shipment of these Wi-Fi access points to Irpin, Friends of Be An Angel, a charitable organization based in Milwaukee that focuses on humanitarian aid to Ukraine, is stepping in to manage logistics. Shipments are expected to begin within two weeks, as stated by Anya Verkhovskaya, Board Chair of Friends of Be an Angel, which has a history of delivering significant aid to Ukraine, including medical supplies and food, amounting to $63 million.

Verkhovskaya praised the partnership with Advanced Wireless and highlighted the impact that businesses can have in providing crucial support during times of need. Morin also emphasized the importance of community support from businesses in the area. Milwaukee’s Mayor, Cavalier Johnson, acknowledged the contributions and stressed the importance of continuing to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

“We are very proud to work with Advanced Wireless,” Verkhovskaya said. “Darryl’s leadership showed us today that one business can make the difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

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Anya Verkhovskaya

Advanced Wireless’ leadership showed us today that one business can make the difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Donation part of ongoing grant program at Advanced Wireless

This donation is part of a larger initiative by Advanced Wireless to support educational technology, with the company having already invested over $2.5 million in Southeastern Wisconsin through its wireless schools initiative grant program. Though the exact financial details of the donation to Irpin remain undisclosed, Morin described it as a significant investment.

Halyna Salapata, president of Wisconsin Ukrainians, recognized the donation as a crucial support for Ukrainian education, noting the extensive recovery and construction needs of the country. She highlighted the increased demand for internet access for education due to limited physical learning spaces.

Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn expresses his thanks

Irpin’s Mayor, Oleksandr Markushyn, expressed his gratitude for the support from Milwaukee, emphasizing the strength of the partnership between the cities during challenging times. He noted the displacement of approximately 25,000 people in Irpin, the highest in the Kyiv region, and reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to fighting for democracy and freedom.

Consul of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago Koledov Serhiy, who also spoke virtually, said this effort shows “how sistership relations can be used effectively.”

“Your help is invaluable,” he said.

Friends of Be an Angel facilitates donation of 840 Wi-Fi access points to Sister City Irpin Read More »

Thomas Humphrey, a Program Manager at Be an Angel and Friends of Be an Angel, holds Gold Award for the Category Fundraising and Partnership at the 3rd Annual Anthem Award

Friends of Be an Angel Wins Gold at Prestigious Anthem Award

Award /

Gold Winner at the 3rd Annual Anthem Awards

Humanitarian Action & Services - Partnership or Collaboration

Thomas Humphrey, a Program Manager at Be an Angel and Friends of Be an Angel, holds Gold Award for the Category Fundraising and Partnership at the 3rd Annual Anthem Award

Friends of Be an Angel wins Gold at the Prestigious Anthem Award in the Category Humanitarian Action: Partnership & Collaboration

Friends of Be an Angel has been awarded the Gold Award at the 3rd Annual Anthem Award  in the category Humanitarian Action & Services: Partnership & Collaboration. In addition to winning gold, we have also been awarded the Community Action Award in the same category.

Formally incorporated in 2022 when the war in Ukraine first broke out, Friends of Be an Angel has since distributed gifts of in-kind supplies and humanitarian aid valued at over $65 million. One of our major initiatives was to provide 1,715 generators to provide power to hospitals, refugee camps and community centers devastated by Russian attacks. This effort caught the attention of the The Anthem Awards, an offshoot of the The Webby Awards, that honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide.

Anya anthemaward foreground min
Anya Verkhovskaya

"Together with 42 other NGOs, creating strength through unity, we were able to join forces to fuel the initiative for a greater impact"

Launched by the Webby Awards

About the Anthem Awards

This year’s Anthem Award Winners were selected from a pool of over 2,000 submissions from 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Anthem judges are intellectually diverse leaders from across the impact industry with expertise that spans across the Anthem cause areas. IADAS members include: Heather Dowdy, Director of Product Accessibility, Netflix; Alex Amouyel, President & CEO, Newman’s Own Foundation; Noel Kinder, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nike; Shaniqua McClendon, Vice President of Politics, Crooked Media/Vote Save America; Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., Executive Director, American Psychiatric Association Foundation; Alison Moore, CEO, Comic Relief US; Christina Lang, Vice President of North American Marketing, Mozilla; Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good, Tom’s of Maine; and more.

Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we’re defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.

About the Project

Giving Power & Light

Full Impact Report

In response to the attacks on critical Ukrainian electrical power infrastructure, Friends of Be an Angel led an effort to deliver more than 1,700 generators this winter, totaling a market value of 2.2 million USD to Ukrainian hospitals, refugee centers, first responders, and other critical locations.

“I have been close to the frontline in destroyed rural areas without electricity and had the privilege to hand over generators,” said Andreas Tölke, Director of Be an Angel. “I remember giving a generator to a three-generation family with five children. They were completely overwhelmed. We held each other in tears.”

In total, more than 8,017 kilowatts of energy are being provided for critical infrastructure powering lights, medical facilities, and heating devices in homes and community centers.

“Standing in the warehouse in Ukraine this past February, surrounded by walls of generators, was genuinely awe-inspiring, but what really hit home was knowing the people who would benefit from this,” said Dr. Douglas Davis, Ukrainian Medical Association of North America. “I saw firsthand many of the patients suffering amputations from frostbite due to Russia’s weaponization of winter against the people of Ukraine. These generators from Friends of Be an Angel undoubtedly saved lives and prevented far greater devastation and suffering for literally thousands of Ukrainians.”

The project was initiated in August 2022 in anticipation of the energy crisis in the winter months. Friends of Be an Angel formed a coalition with other NGOs and donors to work together to be able to obtain high-quality generators at wholesale prices.

“Hundreds of missiles rained down on residential homes with one goal: to terrorize and break the will of the Ukrainian people. Millions of Ukrainians froze in their own apartments and houses,” said Irina Suslova, director of the Women’s Movement for the Future. “Doctors in hospitals had to fight for life in difficult conditions, and the cities were left without water and heat. Generators have become not only vital for us both on the front line and in the rear, but they gave us hope that we will not be broken.”

Beginning in late September 2022, the critical infrastructures in Ukraine were attacked. Over the course of several months, Russian missiles damaged all thermal power plants, most of the combined heat and power plants, and all hydroelectric plants. Hospitals, refugee centers and homes lost power, heat, and access to water overnight.

This resulted in a dire need for non-grid energy sources such as generators, causing shortages, and driving the prices of generators to unaffordable levels for Ukrainians who were already struggling in the war-torn economy.

The generators were distributed to more than 150 hospitals and medical clinics, 80 warming stations, 478 refugee centers, 231 community centers and religious institutions, 238 disadvantaged families with disabilities and medical needs requiring power, 15 orphanages, and 34 schools were given generators to continue their life-sustaining operation.

The remaining generators were distributed to frontline medics and rescue operations. An estimated total of 20,475 people have been directly impacted by this initiative.

Friends of Be an Angel Wins Gold at Prestigious Anthem Award Read More »

Anthemaward finalist 2023

Friends of Be an Angel Nominated for Anthem Award

Award /

FRIENDS OF BE AN ANGEL NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS ANTHEM AWARD

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Voting Ends on December 21st for Additional Community Voice Award

Vote Now

Milwaukee, WI – New Milwaukee nonprofit, Friends of Be an Angel, has been selected as a finalist for the 3rd Annual Anthem Award. Formally incorporated in 2022 when the war in Ukraine first broke out, the organization has since distributed gifts of in-kind supplies and humanitarian aid valued at over $65 million.

One of its major initiatives was to provide 1,715 generators to provide power to hospitals, refugee camps and community centers devastated by Russian attacks. This effort caught the attention of the The Anthem Awards, an offshoot of the The Webby Awards, that honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. According to the group, “By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we’re defining a new benchmark for social impact work that inspires others to take action in their own community.”

Friends of Be an Angel Executive Director Anya Verkhovskaya said, “We continue to seek financial and in-kind contributions to bridge critical gaps in need in Ukraine. We’re grateful to The Anthem Awards for shining a light on one just example. We hope it motivates people to vote and give.”

The nonprofit was selected for the category “Humanitarian Action & Services – Partnership or Collaboration” and is vying for an additional Community Voice award. Now through December 21st anyone can visit the The Anthem Awards website and vote for the project by following the steps below or make a year-end gift at www.friendsofbeanangel.org

 How to vote:

Step 1: click here to visit the voting page

Step 2: click on the button “celebrate” under the Friends of Be an Angel logo

Step 3: enter your details and click on celebrate!

 

About the project:

in August 2022 in anticipation of the energy crisis in the winter months. Friends of Be an Angel formed a coalition of 42 NGOs, charities and donors to work together to be able to obtain high quality generators at wholesale prices.

In late September, the critical infrastructures in Ukraine came under attack. Hospitals, refugee centers and homes lost power, heating and access to water overnight. This resulted in a dire need for non-grid energy sources such as generators, causing an insatiable influx in demand, shortages, and driving the prices of generators to unaffordable levels for Ukrainians who were already struggling in a deteriorating, war-torn economy.

Friends of Be an Angel worked directly with manufacturers to produce generators specifically tailored to the needs of the Ukrainian people. Furthermore, these generators were obtained at manufacturing prices, thereby allowing the coalition to save significantly on costs and provide hundreds of additional generators.

In total, over 150 hospitals and clinics, 80 warming stations, 478 refugee centers, 231 community centers and religious institutions, 238 disadvantaged families with disabilities and medical needs requiring power, 15 orphanages and 34 schools were given generators to continue their life-sustaining operation. The remaining generators were distributed to frontline medics and rescue operations. An estimated total of 20,475 people were directly helped within the first week of this project.

Friends of Be an Angel Nominated for Anthem Award Read More »

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