For many families, the holiday season is a time of warmth, connection, and celebration. But for thousands of Ukrainians who have lost limbs due to the war, the winter months can feel especially heavy. The Protez Foundation, a U.S.–based nonprofit providing free state-of-the-art prosthetics and rehabilitation to Ukrainian civilians, children, and soldiers, understands this all too well. That’s why, each year, as the days shorten and communities gather in gratitude, the organization leans into the season with a renewed sense of purpose—offering not only life-changing medical support but also community, comfort, and hope.
This year, the Foundation hosted a Thanksgiving-themed gathering in Chicago that captured the heart of its mission. The evening brought together supporters, volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries in an atmosphere that was both reverent and uplifting. Held in a church auditorium and supported by Ukrainian-American community groups and spiritual leaders from several denominations, the event wove together music, shared meals, and messages of gratitude. It wasn’t a glossy fundraiser; it was a reminder of the humanity behind the organization—people helping people, bound by resilience and shared purpose.
For many of the Ukrainian guests who attended, the night was their first opportunity in months to feel a sense of belonging in their newly formed American communities. Away from home, facing medical challenges, and processing trauma, these individuals often find the holidays to be a painful reminder of what has been lost. The Protez Foundation’s Thanksgiving Evening was designed to counter that, offering warmth, fellowship, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
This holiday spirit carries into the Foundation’s year-end efforts as well. As winter begins, demand for prosthetics, therapy, and follow-up care does not slow—and neither does the Protez Foundation. The organization continues to provide advanced prosthetic limbs, physical rehabilitation, psychological support, and long-term follow-up for all its patients. Their team remains in close contact with clinics in Ukraine, ensuring that every individual fitted in the U.S. receives ongoing care once they return home.
In addition to community events, the Foundation holds an annual fundraiser every November in Minnesota—its largest formal event of the season. The gathering brings together veterans, volunteers, philanthropists, and partner organizations to raise essential funds that fuel the Foundation’s work through the winter months and into the coming year. Though not formally branded as a “holiday initiative,” the timing makes it one of the most impactful seasonal events supporting Ukrainians in need.
What sets the Protez Foundation apart during the holidays is its understanding that healing is both physical and emotional. A prosthetic limb may restore movement, but community restores dignity. A fundraising gala may provide financial resources, but a shared meal provides connection. Their approach acknowledges the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
As the holiday season unfolds, the Foundation’s message is simple yet profound: every act of support is a gift. Whether it’s the generosity of donors, the skill of prosthetists, the dedication of volunteers, or the courage of those learning to walk again, each contribution becomes a strand in a larger tapestry of resilience.
In a year marked by conflict and loss, the Protez Foundation continues to offer something enduring—hope. This holiday season, that hope shines especially bright. Click here to donate or to learn more, visit protezfoundation.org.