Virginia law enforcement agencies donate gear to help Ukrainian civilians turned soldiers - WJLA

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Law enforcement agencies across Virginia are pitching in for a donation drive to help Ukrainian civilians turned soldiers who are defending their country.

"We're very thankful for their support," said Levin White, who currently works as a police officer at Virginia Commonwealth University.

White has been working in law enforcement for 32 years and retired from the Richmond Police Department before he worked at VCU.

Immediately after the start of Russia's attack on Ukraine, White says he felt compelled to help. He reached out to several friends and neighbors who have close connections to Ukraine, and together, they created a founded a nonprofit called 'Lift Up Ukraine'.

In seeing the images from the war-torn country, White was reminded that it's not just the Ukrainian military on the front lines during the Russian invasion, but also Ukrainian civilians who've stepped up to help fight for their freedom.

White knew those civilian defense groups would not be properly equipped with protective gear.

"Originally, we wanted to purchase 5,000 ballistic vests and we reached out to the manufacturer and they could not fill the order based on supply chain issues that everyone is having," White said. "So the next best thing was to reach out to my colleagues in the law enforcement community."

Right away, he said policing agencies throughout Virginia showed an interest in helping.

"I knew based on my friends and colleagues in law enforcement, I knew they would want to help, it was whether or not they could help due to different procurement regulations and when you're disposing of things," he said.

He's referring to the disposal of used ballistic vests, which he says is something law enforcement agencies in the U.S. have to do every few years.

"The vests have a shelf life of five years, from a liability standpoint. So the departments have to replace the vests after five years, and they are not up to U.S. standards," White said.

But he says the vests are still effective, and can still provide important protection to the people of Ukraine.

"In layman's terms, a ballistic vest is Kevlar, a bulletproof vest," he said. "And they're not only being protected from direct shots from a rifle, but also from explosives, when buildings are being disintegrated by bombs or explosives', it will help protect them from that as well."

The City of Falls Church Police Department and the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office are just two of many agencies across the Commonwealth that answered the nonprofit's call to action.

A spokesperson for the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office told 7News that the 110 ballistic vests they donated were used, but were in good condition except for the fact that the vests' five-year warranty had expired.

"It's going to make a huge difference. Huge," said Alexandra Blagova, a 'Lift Up Ukraine' nonprofit board member and native Ukrainian. "I have family in Ukraine, so I know how it feels."

The City of Falls Church Police Department donated approximately 35 used vests and ballistic panels.

White and the rest of the team from 'Lift Up Ukraine' spent Tuesday picking up more donations, including one from the Lynchburg Sheriff's Office and another from the Virginia Department of Corrections.

So far, they've collected nearly 1,500 ballistic vests, with a thousand more still waiting to be picked up, plus other supplies like gas masks and helmets.

Several shipments of the protective gear are already en route to Ukraine, with more on the way soon.

"We are bringing them hope," Ausrine Zagorodna, another "Lift Up Ukraine' co-founder whose husband is from Ukraine and still has family and friends there. "We know we can save lives with the bulletproof vests we are sending to Ukraine."

Blagova reiterated that message, saying she firmly believes that each bulletproof vest that's been donated will make a difference.

"It means that we are going to save lives, that's what this means for me," she said. "The more vests I see, the more I count in my head, people saved."

Officer White's current employer, VCU Police, has also supported the donation drive, with a contribution of 180 used ballistic vest panels that can fit into 90 vests. VCU Police said those panels were scheduled for destruction, but VCU Police Chief John Venuti decided to donate them instead.

VCU Police headquarters will also serve as a collection site for vests and panels from other police agencies.

"Each vest in my mind, tells me there is a story behind that vest that's already served its lifespan here in the U.S.," White said. "Each officer that wore that vest, there's a story behind it. A career behind it. But each one of those vests are going to create another story and maybe save another life in Ukraine. "

The team behind 'Lift Up Ukraine' says their work to help won't end with the donation drive for protective equipment and gear.

"We need all the help the community can give us," White said. "We accept emergency medical supplies, tents, financial donations -- we are more than just the body armor. It's not just about body armor, it's also boots, cold weather gear, and our mission is going to beyond just the protective and emergency medical supplies, we'll be helping refugees as well."

To learn more about 'Lift Up Ukraine' or to donate, click here.

source: https://wjla.com/news/local/virginia-law-enforcement-agencies-donate-gear-help-ukrainian-citizens-turned-soldiers-ukraine-putin-biden-russia-zelenskyy-aid-war

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