Radios and Batteries Save Lives - A Fundraiser for Ukraine.

Update

In just over a day we raised more than enough money for the radios and batteries! Mike's command has the money and is getting the gear soon.

I can never properly express my gratitude.

What an amazing outpouring of love and generosity from people I don’t know, friends of friends of friends, friends from childhood and middle-school, parents of friends from highschool, acquaintances, mentors, friends, framily, scuzzies and family.

Thank you to everyone who re-shared and read the post.

Thank you to everyone who asks me about my friends and the war - even if we’re just passing on the street.

Even in the painful, terrible darkness that is this war, there is SO much love and kindness.

I’m so grateful that I get to feel it pass through me.

Overview

Since the start of the war, I've been a part of a few amazing fundraisers for Ukraine, but this is the first time I'm publicly asking for something specifically for my friends.

That’s because, since the start of the war, my friends have consistently said they didn’t need help. They told me to the give money to the Armed Forces and other humanitarian aid groups.

There is finally a way to help them.

The Need

My dearest friend, Mike, is commanding a group that is fighting, liberating, and risking their lives for Ukraine and their families. His command is growing and working longer hours.

He needs additional radios, batteries, and earphones. This equipment is crucial for them to communicate safely and effectively.

Please help me support them the only way we can - by giving generously.

You can Venmo me: @martatessy or message me for other options: 231-620-2905.

Equipment Specifics

All funds will go directly to purchasing 16 sets of the following communication equipment:

Radio - Caltta PH660 DMR handheld radio with Bluetooth & GPS
Spare Batteries - Caltta Li-ion battery 2600mAh
Earphones - Anico AAE7704-C1 clear tube PTT earphone / PH600 series

Then about Mike...

Mike is family to me. Мой самый любимый друг.

He joined the Territorial Defence the first week of the war, and now he is leading a command. You can follow his journey on instagram.

He's a great husband and father. An expert strategist. A clear communicator. A talented free skier and musician. And the most amazing friend.

I met Mike in 2017 when we worked together at an IT company in Kyiv, Ukraine. The respect he had from his team, his openness to collaboration, testing new ideas, failing and trying again, and his humor - are unmatched and endlessly rare. He's a true leader.

He introduced me to his wife, Olena, my instant soul sister. Olena and Mike brought me into their life and their family. We skied and backpacked through the Carpathian Mountains and Georgia, kayaked and camped through central Ukraine, and had endless nights talking over Mike’s amazing Negronis.

For every trip and adventure, Mike organized the group, planned the transportation, made an equipment list, found the best bars, and encouraged us to take every risk so that we could get the most out of the experience.

We’ve already planned our next adventures: Mike and Olena come to my home in Northern Michigan, and we all road-trip to New Orleans.

Until then, there is no one I believe in more to win this war!