Doug Barnett (left) and Jonathan “Monty” Montgomery (right), two Malvern veterans of the Iraq War (Photo courtesy of Malvern Online)
Two veterans from Malvern, Jonathan “Monty” Montgomery and Douglas Barnett, have been instrumental in supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago. Their journey began with a fundraising effort in 2022, which quickly grew from a modest $15,000 into more than half a million dollars for Ukraine’s military.
Initially, they considered traveling to Ukraine to volunteer, but both quickly realized the personal sacrificessuch as the potential loss of homes, families, and careerswere too great. Instead, they chose to make a difference from home.
Their main fundraising tool has been the sale of limited-edition challenge coins, which they auction off on Monty’s ‘X’ account. The coins, often unique and collectible, have sold for as much as $3,500 apiece. With the proceeds, they’ve been able to send critical supplies to Ukrainian forces, including medical equipment and vehicles used to evacuate injured soldiers. The two veterans have distributed coins across the globe, from over 30 countries to nearly every state in the U.S.
While their efforts have earned them national and international recognitionthrough signed flags, thank-you videos, and war memorabiliathe emotional toll is heavy. They’ve grown close to some of the individuals they support, and tragically, some have been killed in combat. Yet despite the hardships, the veterans find comfort in knowing their efforts are making a real impact.
Barnett shared that helping in this way provides a sense of fulfillment that would have been hard to achieve if they had gone to Ukraine themselves. Montgomery echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that there’s always a way to contribute, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant the idea might seem at first.
Looking ahead, they are planning their next coin auction for the second week of January, with plans to sell 10 coins each week. They remain committed to the cause as long as there is a need, but both hope for a swift end to the conflict before reaching their next fundraising goal.
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