Excerpts from wrex.com:

While foreign aid remains in Washington D.C. gridlock, one local partnership continues to ship assistance across the world.

It started with a March 2022 question from Chris Manson’s daughter: How can we help those in Ukraine. Nearly two years later, Manson – alongside US Ambulances for Ukraine, OSF HealthCare and numerous local communities and departments – is preparing for his tenth shipment to the war-afflicted nation.

Manson, working through US Ambulances for Ukraine, relies on donations of emergency vehicles and supplies. After securing those, the OSF HealthCare Vice President of Government Relations finds ready partners in those such as the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago.

“My goal was 1, so you know. And then it was 20,” says Manson – reflecting on the beginning. “And then it was, I went, I was back in Ukraine. One point they were like hey, get 50 ambulances. So we’re over that now.”

Each vehicles requires nearly $9,000 to fly or ship across the sea. Similarly, the latest shipment – set to leave in early February – costs around $100,000 for several ambulances and a wheelchair accessible bus.

Funds originate not only from OSF HealthCare but other charitable partners and organizations like the Chicago Consulate.

Moreover, a recent donation from the Sterling Fire Department continues to assist Ukrainians. First delivered in April 2023, Sterling’s fire engine remains busy amidst the conflict.

“That Sterling fire engine that we donated, its operating with a bunch of volunteer firefighters in Odessa,” says Manson. “That fire engine runs three four fire calls a day. That fire engine it has it has gone to three or four drone or missile strikes in a day. It is oftentimes the first fire engine on a missile strike or a drone strike.”

“If there’s a need that still exists, if there’s people in our states that are willing to donate vehicles, if there’s vehicles that are still here that are usable, that can be, you know, in service in Ukraine and be of help,” says Manson. “I can help in some way to make that happen, then I guess… that’s the goal – is to keep on to keep on helping out as long as I can.”

Manson says individual support and information can be found by visiting ua-resistance.org.

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