200 Ballistic Vests, Helmets Donated To Ukraine By Fairfield County Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — Police agencies across Fairfield County came together recently to donate more than 200 ballistic vests and helmets to aid the war effort in Ukraine.

Fairfield police were joined Monday by local officials and several Fairfield County chiefs to announce the donation. In attendance were First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick; state Sen. Tony Hwang; state Rep. Laura Devlin; members of the Ukrainian American Club of Southport including President Mike Gudzic; and representatives of the departments that contributed.

"As public safety professionals we're dedicated to protecting and serving those in our communities, but it's truly an honor and privilege of ours to be able to assist in protecting those thousands of miles away in Ukraine," Fairfield Chief of Police Robert Kalamaras said in a department news release. "We hope that with this donation of much-needed gear, Ukrainian civilians will have the vital protection needed throughout the ongoing war."

The over 200 previously used ballistic vests and helmets will help Ukrainians protect themselves throughout the Russian invasion. The body armor will be shipped to the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council. The armor is one of many items that has been requested by Ukrainian aid groups.

Police departments that joined the donation partnership include those in Brookfield, Darien, Easton, Greenwich, Monroe, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Wilton, Westport and Western Connecticut State University.

The UACC is coordinating efforts to help Ukrainians fight for independence by obtaining military-grade items for personal defense. Once collected, the UACC will distribute items to Ukrainian citizens.