Hello Friends and Family.
Two years ago (February 2020), I flew to Ukraine to make final preparations for launching a business. The business officially launched in March 2020 (which was tragic timing). I spent three days in Kyiv with my colleague and now dear friend Ivan Demyanenko who went home to Kharkiv after to open and staff our office. To be perfectly honest, I was there to capitalize on the strength of the US dollar in Ukraine. I knew almost nothing about Ukraine's history or its people. In those three days, Ivan told me his inspirational story about losing his dad when he was young, rising from poverty, putting himself through university, getting a master’s in engineering while earning money to take care of his family. He’s the most intelligent, dedicated, and earnest person I know. He took me on a long walking tour of Kyiv, visiting churches over 2,000 years old and to Independence Square. A site where in 2014, the citizens stood against the corrupt and Russian aligned government (more about the Revolution of Dignity ) After much bloodshed, the people successfully overthrew their government and impeached the corrupt president, who retreated to Moscow. This event many have cited as the beginning of the Russian aggression that we witness today. In the eight years since the Ukrainians have fought hard for fair and democratic government and to oust the corruption of Russian Oligarchs (more about Oligarchs)
I came home from that trip a changed man. I witnessed a culture that has been beaten down for centuries and yet still had the willpower to stand and fight for their liberty. I came home with a newfound respect for my freedom and proud to be an American. I also gained a tolerance for my fellow Americans, who I may disagree with. We live in divisive times, and we sometimes feel consumed in trivial arguments about personal liberty. I don’t care if your red or blue, who you want to love, or what you want to do to your body. The simple fact is that’s all your choice, and we have democracy to thank for that. If you are reading this, I challenge you to reflect on how our choices can negatively affect others. We can’t change the world, but we can change our own choices and how we choose to live in it.
Ukraine is fighting for its lives to protect its democracy. They fight because they’ve lived the alternative. I pray that the generations that follow us will never have to endure such a fight. If you wounded what Putin hopes to achieve, look at this Map Ukraine may just be the first step in his plan, and we don’t have to look too far in the past to understand the devastation of this type of tyranny. We must stand in support of Ukraine and solidarity with the ideal of freedom.
I’m not just writing this message to stand on a soapbox. I’m sending this message because people in Ukraine whom I’ve come to respect and love are suffering and need help. My friends in Kharkiv are in a fight so much larger than they know. They need food, water, safe shelter, and hope. I’ve set up a *spotfund to send money to Ivan. He is on the front line and volunteers his time to provide humanitarian aid. Please join me to help by donating here.
*In full transparency, the routing is already established, the funds will be routed through my business account. I’m not sure how this will affect my 2022 tax returns, so it would be greatly appreciated if anyone could offer any advice.
