Our Work, WITH OUR SOLDIERS
WOS 1.0
More than 80 freedom fighters and their families received various treatments through the WOS program.
The AYF launched its “With Our Soldiers” program at the start of 2012, proclaiming the year as the Year of the Armenian Freedom Fighter (Azadamardik). The Central Executive and local chapters organized a number of fundraising events during the course of the campaign, which allowed the specially-formed task force to partner with the Yerevan Medical Center and facilitate the treatments of veterans suffering from war-related injuries. The list of treatments and services provided to the freedom fighters extends from simple check-ups and consultations to complicated and expensive surgeries. The “With Our Soldiers” task force periodically informed the community about the progress of its work by releasing financial reports, as well as video updates prepared by Yerkir Media in Armenia which told the stories of the veterans who were being helped by the campaign.
Funds were allocated towards:
Medical equipment including wheelchairs, prosthetics, and crutches
Medical expenses for specialized doctor consultations
Physical therapy
WOS 2.0
With Our Soldiers started its second phase in 2016 after the 4 day war in April. Although we could never fill the place that our fallen heroes left in their homes, we aimed to help their families with financial support. The campaign committed to sending a one time $1000 payment to each family with an additional $250 per each child of a soldier. We understood there is no way to put a value to a life but we wanted to make sure that each family knew that they had some form of support. To carry out this initiative we had members of our committee personally deliver the money to each soldier’s home in the summer of 2016.
In Armenia, a total of 39 families of fallen soldiers were assisted, with the following breakdown: Armavir (7 families), Yerevan (7), Gegharkunik (6), Kotayk (6), Ararat (5), Shirak (4), Lori (3), and Aragastotn (1)
In Artsakh, a total of 24 families of fallen soldiers were assisted, with the following breakdown: Hadrut (9), Stepanakert (6), Martuni (3), Martakert (2), Shushi (2), Kashatagh (1), Askeran (1)
A total of $76,500 has been distributed in aid as of June 30, 2016, with $33,000 allocated to families in Artsakh and the remaining $43,500 in Armenia.
WOS 3.0
During the invasion of Artsakh in 2020, the With Our Soldiers program fundraised to provide U.S.military-grade products, such as monoculars, to help fulfill the needs of our armed forces. In the aftermath of the invasion, the committee mobilized to continue the efforts to provide financial aid to soldiers, as well as families that were displaced by the occupation of Artsakh. In addition, the program worked to provide aid to wounded soldiers, funding over fifty eyelid surgeries for veterans who had lost function in their eyes after being hit with shrapnel.
4 types of advanced U.S. Army kits provided:
Individual
Squad Medic
Special Situations
Mobile Medic
In 2022, with tensions rising again on the borders the WOS continued to collect essential supplies such as first aid kits, thermal undergarments, headwear and MRE’s (Meal Ready to Eat). With the help of our volunteers in the homeland, WOS was able to assemble, pack, and deliver these essential supplies to 300 soldiers currently serving to protect our homeland.