SoftServe, a premier IT consulting and digital services provider, today announced the first fully-equipped ambulance to come from the fundraising partnership between rock band Okean Elzy and SoftServe’s corporate charity fund, Open Eyes, has been delivered to Ukrainian medics on the frontlines. The first ambulance arrived as Russians intensify attacks on Ukrainian medical facilities in violation of international law.
“The Russians are simply hunting for these ambulances and medical supplies. While ambulances are expendable, the losses of these vehicles are huge, and the need for them is constant and dire”, said paramedic Yulia Paievska (call sign “Taira”) during the transfer of vehicles from the group and the fund to the medics.
The goal of the fundraising partnership, which launched in August, is to raise enough money throughout Okean Elzy’s world tour, which launches the band’s first English-language album “Lighthouse” amid its biggest North America tour to date, to purchase another 30 ambulances for humanitarian aid. Throughout the full-scale war, SoftServe’s Open Eyes fund donated more than 250 ambulances.
“On average, one ambulance can save 15 wounded people a day. And the vehicle must be equipped, otherwise it takes time, money, and effort to find this equipment. We often use the ambulances received from the Open Eyes fund as an example of everything we need. It is a kindred fortress on wheels, and its importance is hard to overestimate”, said Yaroslav (call sign “Brother”) from the unit that received the ambulance.
He adds that medics rely on ambulances as much as they do on their own colleagues. The vehicle must be in good working condition not to fail in a critical situation. Further, Yaroslav reports the situation at the front as more complicated due to constant shelling.
So far, $120,000 out of the $750,000 needed has been raised to purchase equipped ambulances. The fundraising for the ambulances will continue until the end of the year as Okean Elzy’s tour reaches audiences in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, where showgoers can join the fundraising or charity auction at the concerts. Assets auctioned at previous concerts included a flag signed by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2021-2024), Valeriy Zaluzhny, and a guitar as part of the rock band’s memorabilia. In addition to attendees donating funds to purchase ambulances, the proceeds from auctions and part of the ticket sales, as well as separate efforts from the band’s own fundraising initiatives, will go toward the overall crowdfunding goal to deliver 30 ambulances.
“In this war, Russia continues to kill our people every day, and we must realize that ending this war is the responsibility of all of us. I know I personally must and will make every effort to do so, and I hope you think the same of yourselves”, said Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, leader of the band Okean Elzy.
Anyone can help the medics at the front — join the fundraising for ambulances from any country via the Open Eyes fund here.
About the Fund
Open Eyes is a charitable fund, founded by SoftServe in 2014, operating in Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. The fund focuses on three key areas: supporting medical institutions, promoting education among youth and children, and assisting Ukrainian defenders and veterans.
After the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Open Eyes shifted its efforts to provide critical support to the country. As of the end of 2023, the fund has provided more than 3,000 sets of uniforms and footwear for defenders and their families, and delivered over 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid to more than 100,000 people. Additionally, the fund has donated more than 350 items of vital medical equipment to several key hospitals in Ukraine. As part of its flagship Drive for Life initiative, the fund has donated over 250 ambulances to frontline areas since 2022.
About the Company
SoftServe is the largest global IT company with Ukrainian roots, providing software development and consulting services. More than 10,000 employees work in over 50 offices located from San Francisco to Singapore. The company’s headquarters are in Lviv and Austin (USA). SoftServe is working on more than 900 active projects for clients in North America, the EU, and Asia. Its clients include IBM, Cisco, Panasonic, Cloudera, Henry Schein, Spillman Technologies, and others. SoftServe partners with Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, NVIDIA, and other major technology companies.
SoftServe, a premier IT consulting and digital services provider, today announced the first fully-equipped ambulance to come from the fundraising partnership between rock band Okean Elzy and SoftServe’s corporate charity fund, Open Eyes, has been delivered to Ukrainian medics on the frontlines. The first ambulance arrived as Russians intensify attacks on Ukrainian medical facilities in […]
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