Update April 7, 2026
Thanks to all the donations that helped Bob bring 51 cars into Ukraine. Following Bob's unexpected death, thanks to the "cars in lieu of flowers" donations and your continued support, we've brought a few more in.
This month Bob's wife K brought another 2 vehicles to Ukraine: A 9-seater Ford Transit van to support the units fighting to keep their freedom at the northeastern border in Kharkiv, and an Opel 4x4 Frontera going to the 501st Marines who have been fighting in Donetsk for some time now. This brings us to 53 cars in total.
The soldiers are exhausted and have a hard time understanding what's happened to the US (as many of us do), they report that US and European weapons supplies are dwindling, but they feel they have no choice but to continue fighting. For them, as for anyone who understands what is at stake, death is preferable to life under the thumb of Putin and the Russian Federation.
The soldiers are deeply grateful for your support - the fact that people outside the US care enough to support them is almost as important as the vehicles themselves.
Thank you, again! We will keep this going so long as we can and keep the Russians and freedom-hating autocrats off our necks!
April 6, 2026 in Kharkiv
April 7, 2026 in Kyiv
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When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine happened, my husband Bob and I launched this Spotfund to raise money to bring soldiers life-saving vehicles in their fight against the aggression of the Russian Federation.
While we had not been actively promoting the Spotfund campaign the last few years as interest in the war waned, Bob nevertheless continued to deliver vehicles to Ukraine's armed forces.
On September 27, 2025, the person who did all of the heavy lifting to bring trucks to soldiers in Ukraine – my husband Bob -- was struck by an unexpected pulmonary embolism resulting in sudden death. He was in perfect health and in great shape, and his passing is tragic. He was such a light in these dark times.
Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, until the day of his death on September 27, he delivered 51 vehicles in total.
Bob established links with many networks of volunteers in Ukraine who work with military units to supply them with things they need. I am in touch with those networks and will continue this work on his behalf. This spotfund is one of two causes Bob’s family and I have chosen for donations in lieu of flowers. Should you wish to contribute, anything you donate will go directly to supporting the men and women fighting for Ukraine's freedom. There is no overhead, as this is not a formal nonprofit.
More importantly, please visit Bob’s memorial page to leave a memory or his VidDay audio/video/photo collection site. He was a fun and funny guy who loved to keep people laughing. So if you knew him, and you can channel your inner Bob, I encourage you to share a silly story or a picture that we can use to spark our memories of this amazing human.
Memorial page: https://everloved.com/life-of/bob-kochenderfer/
VidDay memories site: https://share.vidday.com/e/m-gwwhqt
Katherine (Bob’s Wife)
July 2025, in Kharkiv delivering a refrigerated truck so that fallen soldiers could be returned to their families for closure and to their final resting place. Here is a video of thanks from the volunteers.
TEXT OF ORIGINAL SPOTFUND CAMPAIGN FROM 2022
Previously owned-vehicles are the KEY to peace in Ukraine! That's right. This war will be won by used vehicles. And you can help.
Many soldiers on the Eastern front in Ukraine are fighting an advancing Russian Army without a means of transport. They're well trained--Ukraine only accepts soldiers with previous military experience--but poorly equipped.
Ukraine did not expect a full-scale invasion. These guys and gals are out there working in small networked teams, in a decentralized command structure, without much critical equipment. Helping small units of soldiers become mobile is one of the most direct ways you can help Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
Here's what we're doing:
- We source, buy, and deliver used vehicles to the front line, along with extra fuel tanks and fuel
- Price is around $3000 per vehicle
- We sourced and delivered 11 vehicles from May to October
Who are "we"?
We're not a formal organization: so there's no tax deduction, no bureaucracy, no overhead. In fact, we're personally covering the overhead. Here's the team:
- Fundraising: KS (that's me), based in Ukraine and YOU! You are the most important part of fundraising. Please share this with your friends!
- Vehicle Sourcing, Purchasing from Europe, and Delivery to Western Ukraine: One intrepid volunteer.
- Where Vehicle Goes: Front line or support to the front, depending on the vehicle. Front line needs solid 4x4s.
- Fixing and Painting: Local network of mechanics and volunteers who paint, etc. There's always some prep of the vehicles before they head out. Costs are covered locally.
- Vehicle Delivery to Soldiers: A network of locals drive the vehicles onward for delivery to the front.
Read more about the need for vehicles from the Associated Press and the Guardian.
Learn about why Ukrainian soldiers are worth betting on (i.e., they're darn well trained) from the Wall Street Journal.
A word about Ukraine fundraising scams: THEY ARE OUT THERE! Super grosse, but true. We expect mostly friends and friends-of-friends to donate. But if you don't know KS or someone close to KS, want to donate, and want reassurance that this is real, please send a text message to 3471607 using the USA country code and four hundred and fifteen area code. I'll be happy to connect and answer any questions.
Here's what we've done so far:
| VW Transport | USD 1000 |
| Audi 4x4 | USD 1000 |
| VW Passat | USD 1000 |
| Opel Zafira | USD 1900 |
| Jeep Cherokee | USD 2500 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | USD 3800 |
| Land Rover | USD 3000 |
| Nissan X-Trail Black | USD 3000 |
| Land Rover 2 | USD 2900 |
| Mitsubishi Pickup | USD 5300 |
| Nissan X-Trail Blue | USD 2700 |
| Total on Cars | USD 28,100 |
And if you want to read a REALLY LONG story of our adventures, you can find that here.
This just in - Land Rover 2 (bought Sept 8):
Land Rover reinforced, painted and doing its work, October 6:
Mitsubishi Pickup purchased October 3, waiting for paperwork to cross the border and get it into the team:
Want more pics of the cars? Check it out here.
