What started out as a group of individuals meeting online has turned into a globally-connected nonprofit dedicated to providing needed wartime supplies to Ukraine.

Connecting through the online chat forum Reddit, Ukraine Front Line, Inc.’s President, Steven Watford, 29, met what became the nonprofit’s board of directors. 

Watford, a resident of Sachse, said he met Anders Boyd, Robin Rohrback and Dax Martinez-Vargas and the four agreed to form a grassroots fundraising effort to contribute to Ukrainian troops defending their country from a Russian invasion.

However, Watford said that he was not content with the idea of sending money to a large nonprofit organization that contributed to the widespread aid efforts that began after the Feb. 24 invasion. Ukraine For Life filed for 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service in April and has held the designation since that month.

“We wanted to be more involved and make a direct impact on Ukraine as opposed to donating to a big charity and hashtagging,” Watford said.

Ukraine Front Line is only made up of volunteers, said Watford, because the other board members have full-time jobs. His journey to learn more about Ukraine and its culture began shortly before the invasion, he added. 

When he’s not working on projects related to Ukraine Front Line, Watford is involved with his business, Superior Sanitary Solutions.

While their armed forces were busy defending their homes and way of life, Watford said that he was inspired to take action because of their potential sacrifice.

“That kind of bravery to not give up the freedom they know inspired me to get involved and try and help them,” Watford said.

Their commitment to providing aid has been unyielding, including their most recent capital campaign that included more effort than setting a fundraising goal.

With awareness about the invasion waning nine months later and a decline in donations that started about three months ago, Watford said the nonprofit organized its biggest awareness effort yet.

“This war is still going on,” Watford said. “It’s still a war, even though we get some good news every now and again.”

Because of the drying up donation sources, the nonprofit shifted its strategy, said Watford.

“With what’s going on, we needed more direction and had to strategize about different ways to raise money,” Watford said.

He continued, saying that he has experience in the music industry and that he wanted to put those talents to use in its latest capital campaign.

Ukraine Front Line recently worked with a Dallas-based singer, Presley Duyck, who has performed in “Mamma Mia” at the Majestic Theatre. While Watford identified Duyck for the performance, he was able to arrange an introduction through the show’s lighting director where he convinced her to perform on the nonprofit’s behalf.

Duyck sang a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem “Shche ne vmerla Ukrayina,” in a video directed by Martinez-Vargas.

Watford said Duyck learned Ukrainian for the performance which has been posted to the nonprofit’s YouTube page.

In addition to raising awareness about the continued struggle of Ukraine’s armed forces against the Russian military, Watford said he hopes the video helps Ukraine Front Line raise $35,000 to purchase around 70 full sets of winter gear. The group hopes to supply extended cold weather clothing systems, including thermals, parkas and gloves specialized for the freezing temperatures of the Ukrainian winter.

The nonprofit is looking to meet its $35,000 goal in its latest campaign within the next couple weeks because of the increasingly cold conditions in Ukraine.

Duyck’s performance and the need for additional funds underscored the importance of coming together to meet a goal, similar to the commitment of Ukraine’s men and women fighting to preserve their country. Watford said he hopes the unity and commitment of the nonprofit will inspire soldiers fighting in the war.

“I hope they would see a bunch of westerners going out of their way to learn more about their culture and go out of their way to support their fight for freedom,” Watford said. 

Additionally, Ukraine Front Line has provided several supply runs throughout its existence, said Watford, including one on Nov. 22. While many of the details of such operations are classified for safety, he added that the group has had some successes because of its global connections. There have also been failed supply missions but the nonprofit’s goal of aiding front line troops is unwavering, added Watford.

The nonprofit has contributed several different types of gear, including combat medical supplies, ballistic helmets and tactical radio equipment. Watford said the group has supplied “anything they need outside of weapons.”

Ukraine Front Line has also purchased army-grade sleeping bags, binoculars and drones that have been sent to soldiers defending Ukraine.

The logistics process is made possible through a collaboration between Ukraine Front Line and contacts the nonprofit has in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. Watford said the contacts provide a list of needs which the nonprofit attempts to secure using donated funds.

Because of the volunteer-only workforce at the nonprofit, 100% of donated proceeds are used to purchase the necessary equipment, said Watford. 

“We do our best to negotiate the best possible cost with vendors,” Watford said. “We also try to buy stuff in Europe so we don’t have to pay taxes to get it to Europe. Every single dollar goes to help a Ukrainian.”

After purchasing the requested supplies, Ukraine Front Line keeps track of the receipts to confirm that the purchased supplies make it to the network of drivers used to deliver supplies to Ukrainian troops. After delivery, the nonprofit will receive pictures of soldiers wearing equipment made possible by its donations which is then shared on Ukraine Front Line’s social media pages.

Watford said the social media postings help bring a sense of fulfillment to the generous donors that support the nonprofit’s work.

“They get to say they donated to that campaign,” Watford said. “They get to see a picture of them wearing jackets or with their gear and get to say, ‘I’ve done that.’”

Personally, Watford said that his ability to participate in aiding Ukraine’s defense has eased his own personal anxieties and a sense of helplessness at not being able to affect what goes on in the conflict. By providing aid, it is a way individuals outside Ukraine can show solidarity with its cause, he added.

“It does feel good to say we’re making a direct impact on a father or mother’s life who has had to leave their child behind to fight on the front line,” Watford said. “They can know that there is someone that cares about them and is helping them.”

To donate to Ukraine Front Line, visit the nonprofit’s website. To view Duyck’s performance visit the nonprofit’s YouTube page.

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