Ruslan Shostak Charitable Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization that specializes in helping the Ukrainian Defense Forces and those affected by the Russian-Ukrainian War. The organization is engaged in the evacuation of orphans from Ukraine during the war — within the framework of the "Childhood without War" project and the purchase and supply of wheeled vehicles for the needs of Ukraine's defenders, as well as their maintenance — within the framework of the "HeroCar" project.
As stated on the organization's website, its mission is "to save children, preserve their physical and psychological health during the war in Ukraine" and the main task is "to give a shelter and protect orphaned children, and in the future to help them socialize and even find their reliable family."[1]
History
Registered on June 15, 2022. The founder is Ruslan Shostak — Ukrainian businessman and philanthropist, founder and co-owner of the national retail chains EVA and VARUS. Executive director — Natalia Maslo.
The foundation became well-known after raising 3.9 million euros for the relocation and accommodation of about two thousand Ukrainian orphans in Turkey.[2]
On March 27, 2023, the foundation announced its readiness to accommodate Ukrainian orphans and children deprived of parental care, illegally deported to Russia, in hotels in Turkey rented for the "Childhood without w ar" project. [3]
Projects
Taking into account the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the current activities are focused on the safety of orphans and bringing victory closer. This goal is realized through two charitable projects: Childhood without War and HeroCar.
Childhood without war
The project aims to evacuate 5000 children from the frontline areas.[4] It is planned that after the war, all children will return to their homeland.[5]
As of March 2023, within the framework of the "Childhood without War" project, Ruslan Shostak's foundation has raised 4.67 million euros for the evacuation and maintenance of orphans and has engaged more than 300 volunteers and ambassadors.[6] The project carried out the largest evacuation of orphans since the Second World War: 1700 children and their accompanying persons were evacuated to Turkey from the frontline territories of Ukraine (as of May 2023). [6]
HeroCar
As part of the HeroCar project, founded by the Ruslan Shostak Charitable Foundation, as of April 3, 2023, the Ukrainian military received 19 pickup trucks and several buses. The foundation has also launched the only national platform for providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with wheeled vehicles.[7]
The project also takes care of the operational maintenance of the cars — repair and technical inspection.[8]
