Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page noticed earlier this year that law enforcement agencies across the country were donating their unused ballistic vests to Ukraine for use by first responders and volunteers who were providing humanitarian aid to people for the war-torn country and wanted to do his part to help.

Page initially contacted the county commissioners to ask if they could donate their unused vests. After receiving the commissioners support, Page realized that this effort was not underway in North Carolina, so he reached out to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and the Department of Public Safety to organize a statewide effort.

They then teamed up with Samaritan’s Purse, who offered to fly the vests to Ukraine. Page received an e-mail from Samaritan’s Purse this week showing the delivery of the vests to Ukraine.

I am thankful to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, Samaritan’s Purse and law enforcement agencies from across North Carolina for putting this plan into action and helping to protect those in the wake of these brutal attacks in Ukraine. Here, at Christmastime, it warms my heart to see so many willing to help their fellow man in their time of need and it goes along with the law enforcement creed “to protect and serve,” said Page.