CEO of the Ruslan Shostak Charitable Foundation shared mechanisms for Ukrainian retail to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine bring Victory closer

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian retail has actively participated in charitable initiatives to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU): companies create their own charitable projects and unite for a common goal. Additionally, Ukrainians predominantly prefer socially responsible businesses. The Ruslan Shostak Charitable Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization that specializes in assisting Ukraine's Defense Forces and those affected by the Russo-Ukrainian war. The foundation engages in evacuating orphans from Ukraine during the war under the "Childhood Without War" project and providing and servicing wheeled transport for Ukraine's defenders under the HeroCar project. During the RAU Expo 2024 exhibition, Yevhenia But, CEO of the Ruslan Shostak Charitable Foundation, presented the HeroCar project and shared effective and proven mechanisms for helping the AFU and mobilized employees directly. RAU highlighted the key points of her presentation.

About the Foundation's Focus

The foundation focuses on supplying wheeled transport for the needs of AFU units without intermediaries. We have partners abroad who find vehicles at the lowest prices. We also possess expertise in the needs of military units, knowing what is most required at the front. Additionally, we have refined and tested fundraising mechanisms.

Over 350 pickups are already with the AFU, but the goal is 1,000 units.

About the HeroCar Project

The "From Small to Large" initiative: HeroCar, together with partners including the Podorozhnyk pharmacy network, Eva and Varus store chains, and WOG gas stations, launched a long-term campaign to help the front.

Clients of partner networks can purchase a toy pickup truck, with all profits from the sales going towards buying real vehicles.

Importantly, partners can decide which specific AFU unit will receive the vehicle. Typically, pickups are sent to units where the company's employees serve. This way, businesses demonstrate their social corporate responsibility. Research shows that about 60% of companies provide financial assistance to the army and support their employees serving in the AFU. Significantly, the HeroCar project can provide targeted assistance directly to the AFU unit chosen by the company.

The first batch of toy pickups, over 10,000 units, was sold in the Eva and Varus networks within two weeks. Selling 3,300 toy cars enables the purchase of one real pickup.

About Other Collaboration Options

Collaboration with the foundation involves not only selling toy pickups but also selling other charitable goods, mechanics with own brands, donation options at checkout, or helping purchase vehicles for your employees.

We have a case with TM Galicia and recruiter and blogger Serhiy Marchenko. Together, they created a small juice called "Carrot Rocket," the proceeds from which go towards purchasing large pickups.

About New Partnerships

New partners continuously join the "From Small to Large" project. At the RAU Expo 2024 forum, a memorandum of strategic cooperation was signed with a new significant participant, Vodafone Retail. Vodafone has supported the country and Ukrainians from the first day of the full-scale invasion. The company made considerable efforts to ensure millions of people did not lose connection with their loved ones and allocated over 1.7 billion UAH to social and charitable initiatives during 2022-23. By joining the HeroCar charity project, Vodafone stores will become locations for choosing the latest gadgets and accessories and places selling special toy cars supporting the "From Small to Large" initiative. Vodafone Retail does this to support their employees who joined the AFU and Ukrainian defenders in general.