Ukraine Friends Impact Highlights of 2024

In 2024, Ukraine Friends continued its mission to provide critical aid to those affected by the war in Ukraine, now finishing its third year. Our efforts included delivering Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs) to areas near the frontlines, distributing over a hundred throughout the year, along with life-saving protective equipment to various regions across the country.? A key focus for us this year remained supporting children who have lost one or both parents as a result of the war through our laptop delivery program, “Digital Wings.” In 2024, we distributed hundreds of devices worth over $100,000 USD to children who needed them for remote learning and whose families could not afford one. Every family we met — whether in person or virtually — shared a unique and heartbreaking story of how this war has changed their lives forever.

Some of those families live near the frontlines; others had to relocate because their hometowns were occupied or destroyed by relentless attacks. Others now live in major cities but lack the means to purchase devices, as remote learning remains the norm in a country where no place is entirely safe. What unites all these children is their incredible resilience. Despite their profound personal tragedies, they continue to dream, plan for the future, and hope for the better.

At Ukraine Friends, we know that giving a laptop to a child in need is more than just providing a tool for education. It becomes a means for entertainment, social connection, and a reminder that people care and have not forgotten about them.

In June, during his visit to Ukraine, our CEO Joe Sullivan traveled to Kyiv and Lviv to meet with the Ukraine Friends team and personally deliver laptops to families in the "Digital Wings" program. Joe shared that the day of deliveries was the most memorable part of his entire trip. The stories of each family were both heartbreaking and reflective of the immense devastation caused by this war. He shared more about these experiences in an interview.

In addition to individual deliveries, the Ukraine Friends team also made several centralized deliveries to organizations and institutions supporting children affected by the war. One example is the Children’s Hospital of St. Nicolas in Lviv, where we equipped the recreation room with 10 MacBook Pro laptops. These laptops provide both staff and young patients with essential tools for learning and entertainment. This support is especially vital as education continues to be disrupted by the war, yet remains a powerful source of hope and resilience for Ukraine’s next generation.

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our global partners. We are deeply thankful to UBS Bank, Santander, Siena College, Schellman, Revivn, Lattice, and many other organizations for donating the devices we distribute to children. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to every donor whose contributions make it possible to ship this aid from the US to Ukraine.

One special story highlights how the partnership between Ukraine Friends and Santander began. At one conference, Thomas H. , the CISO of Santander UK Bank in London, heard Joe Sullivan speak about Ukraine Friends and the Digital Wings program. Deeply moved by the mission, Thomas decided to take action.

In a remarkable show of support, Thomas swam 16 kilometers from Spain (Europe) to Morocco (Africa) to raise funds and collect laptops for Ukraine Friends! After spending eight years on a waiting list, he was offered a last-minute spot in February. The swim involved six to seven hours in 15-degree waters. Thomas not only completed the challenge but also raised significant support for the education of Ukrainian children during the war. Beyond raising the funds to support logistics, Thomas launched a campaign within Santander, collecting nearly 100 devices. These laptops are now on their way to Ukraine and will be distributed to young Ukrainians early next year.

Special delivery of tech equipment from UBS Bank

Thanks to UBS Bank's generous donation of WiFi-enabled computer equipment, students at colleges and universities across Ukraine can continue their online education, even during power outages and unstable electricity conditions. Overall, UBS donated more than a thousand pieces of network equipment, and the Ukraine Friends team took a leading role in organizing the logistics to transport it from the US to Ukraine and distribute it to educational institutions on the ground.

Raising Awareness Through Social Media, Events, and Leadership

In 2024, we shared 128 social media posts across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X, telling stories of families receiving laptops from Ukraine Friends, highlighting key events and responses, and showcasing our team and donors. These posts garnered thousands of impressions, raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. While our primary audience is in the USA, our message resonates globally. Monthly newsletters keep donors informed and inspired to support our mission.

Joe Sullivan, CEO of Ukraine Friends, joined the Cloud Security Alliance's Non-Profit Leadership Council in 2024, advocating for responsible AI practices and amplifying voices of Ukrainian families. Through this collaboration, we amplify the voices of the families in Ukraine we support and leverage partnerships to promote voluntary best practices. We are deeply concerned about misinformation regarding the humanitarian crisis on the ground and value technologies that help bridge this community with the Western world. By working together, we aim to create a lasting, meaningful impact that improves lives, fosters positive change for the future, and raises awareness about the current humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Throughout the year, Joe Sullivan spoke at 23+ conferences across the US, Europe, and Australia, promoting Ukraine Friends and the "Digital Wings" laptop program.?His message reached thousands of attendees globally, inspiring many to take action. After each engagement, numerous companies reached out to learn more about how they could help, with many launching support campaigns within their organizations. In addition to these events, Joe frequently discusses Ukraine Friends’ mission on podcasts and in interviews, spreading the message to even wider audiences and emphasizing the ongoing need for support in Ukraine. ?

Striving for a Greater Impact in?2025?

In 2025, Ukraine Friends will expand efforts to support children of fallen Ukrainian soldiers with laptops for remote learning. We aim to grow partnerships, enhance logistics, and raise awareness through speaking engagements and media, all while maintaining transparent communication with donors to maximize impact.? We are deeply thankful to everyone who has supported our mission. Your continued generosity makes it possible for us to assist one of the most vulnerable groups in Ukraine—children who have lost a parent and desperately need help accessing education. Together, we can do even more to change their lives.

We invite you to join us in providing hope and opportunities to these children by supporting our mission further:

https://ukrainefriends.org/donate/

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