The four of us came to Ukraine at different times and for different reasons, but we were united by a shared admiration for the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people. Witnessing their courage and resilience transformed our lives, and we felt compelled to do more.

Bill Record and Zeke Rabkin, both in their 70s, first crossed paths as volunteers at the Lviv Volunteer Kitchen (LVK), where vegetables were cleaned, sliced, diced, dehydrated, and packed into plastic bags. These ready-to-use soup kits provided a lifeline of nutritious meals for soldiers on the front lines and people displaced by the war. Soldiers on leave from the front lines often shared glowing testimonials about how much they valued the warmth and nourishment of LVK meals compared to standard army provisions.

It was over a pile of vegetables, or perhaps during a well-earned meal, that Bill and Zeke discovered they had both lived in Kenya at the same time in the 1970s. Bill, a mechanical engineer, later turned his skills toward creating a 3D Printer Farm in Ukraine. This innovative project produced hard-to-find spare parts, helping fill critical supply gaps. He even established a Ukraine-based nonprofit to support this effort.

Linda, meanwhile, has called Ukraine home for nearly three years. Initially based in Lviv, she served as a central point of communication among various expat and Ukrainian volunteer groups. Her problem-solving abilities earned her a trusted reputation, with volunteers often saying, “Ask Linda” whenever challenges arose. Linda briefly returned to the U.S. to help her sister care for her first child but otherwise has dedicated herself to Ukraine’s cause.

Ian Netupsky, whose grandparents emigrated from Russia, has been instrumental in building volunteer infrastructure. He helped set up the Lviv Volunteer Center and founded Mothers for Ukraine https://www.motherukraine.org/, a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides vital support to Ukrainian families affected by the war.

Zeke, recognizing his talents lay in fundraising, focused on generating financial support for Ukrainian nonprofits.

While our roots trace back to New York, Ohio, and Texas, we share a deep connection to Ukraine. It has become more than a place we support—it has become home in our hearts.