Andrey Chersak
Andrey Chersak is the 1st Ukrainian amputee who came to Colorado for treatment.
Before the war, I lived a full life in the village of Mardarovka, Podolsky district, where I still live. I was raising my son Seryozhka, who is now almost 2 years old and also worked in fitness right up to the war began. When my country was invaded, I could not stay behind and felt obligated to defend my native land. I ended up working in Zaporizhia in a machine-gun factory, then they regrouped me into another brigade and a week later we went on the offensive where everything was fine until we re-formed again to the final offensive. On the morning of September 1, when we went towards the Russians, we got into a minefield, where my BMD was hit. We moved the whole brigade to another BMD and continued moving towards Orekhov. When we arrived in the city, they began to fire at us. The machine gunman shouted that the machine gun was not working, so we took up positions without any support, and that’s when they began to cover us with bombs. The first arrival tore off my leg and pierced my lungs. The arrivals just kept going while I was lying shell-shocked. I have a hard time trying to talk about it now as it makes me re-live that moment, so what I would like to say is God bless everyone and take care of yourself.
Photo Gallery
Meet our team
Kelli Rohrig
Kreston Rohrig
Kreston Rohrig
Kelli is a native Coloradoan who found herself at the Polish border in March 2022 looking for volunteer work to help the many Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. She subsequently crossed into Ukraine where she met many incredible people and formed lifelong friendships. Upon returning from Ukraine on her second trip in May 2022, she and another Avon local established Limbs for Liberty.
Kreston Rohrig
Kreston Rohrig
Kreston Rohrig
As Kelli's husband, Kreston was subjected to endless updates and information about the Russian war during the onset of the invasion. Kreston originally took on the role as wife supporter but quickly transitioned into a L4L board member. Kreston has been a huge help with multiple aspects of the organization and has worked tirelessly to s
As Kelli's husband, Kreston was subjected to endless updates and information about the Russian war during the onset of the invasion. Kreston originally took on the role as wife supporter but quickly transitioned into a L4L board member. Kreston has been a huge help with multiple aspects of the organization and has worked tirelessly to support both the board and volunteers. Kreston is a highly valued member of the team running the backend and keeping the rest of the team focused.
Why we should support Ukraine
July 2022 Irina Rastello gave an interview in attempt to wake up Russian people to be a little braver and kinder. "I'm putting my feelings behind about how I feel watching myself on this video for the sake of hopefully a few affected minds."
Our partner
Human Hearts United
"Human Hearts United is a new, direct way to help and feel like you’re making a real difference."
Other ways to help
There are many ways to help. Please contact us for volunteering opportunities info@limbsforliberty.com
A Poem For Ukraine
By Paige Middleton Vail, Colorado 4/24/2022
I was told to write a poem,
How can I do that, when I barely know the history of Rome?
I will do my best,
Along with trying to rest.
My heart says this will be a masterpiece,
My mind disagrees, arguing that I should cease.
Here now is the poem,
Read it to allow your mind to ramble and roam.
Bright, yellow sunflowers of Ukraine,
Stand tall through sun and rain,
Reminding us that hope remains,
Maybe Putin will refrain.
Bloodshed is numerous in this invasion,
How long will it be its duration,
Children are dying with no good explanation,
My mind feels sad and horrified when I think of this vision,
Putin says he is saving Ukraine from Nazis and other terrible creations,
Yet for Putin it seems fine, what a horrible imagination.
Let us hope this war of rage,
Will diminish and leave the media's stage,
Making the world a better place.
We all watch the news about this war,
Yet we stand quietly next to our safe shore.
We would want people to come help us when we are afraid,
Why can’t we provide some extra aid?
Sadly I am lost on what to do,
But if we can unite we will make it through!
Speak up…Stand up, Know what is right,
And let that guide your mind through this plight.
L4L Logo
Now we have official logo. Thank you Asija Vesty for creating logo for Limbs for Liberty! Asija lives in London and when she heard about us through one of our volunteers she decided to help us with this project.
Please check her portfolio and recommend to other people.
About Us
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Tyler Schmidt- Founder
Kelli Rohrig- Co-founder
Irina Rastello - volunteer
Amy Karpas- pediatric PT
Nikki Bova- prosthetic specialist
Ellen- nurse
Our history
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
As our president says, the beginning of our organization started serendipitously. Kelli and Irina had been volunteer partners in Ukraine in the spring. As does happen in Ukraine, Tyler was a WhatsApp friend of Irina. When Tyler and Kelli returned to the US, they were surprised to find that they live in the same town 5 miles apart. Odd
As our president says, the beginning of our organization started serendipitously. Kelli and Irina had been volunteer partners in Ukraine in the spring. As does happen in Ukraine, Tyler was a WhatsApp friend of Irina. When Tyler and Kelli returned to the US, they were surprised to find that they live in the same town 5 miles apart. Oddly enough, S, a Ukrainian, also lives in the same town. From there, our organization just fell into place. We are passionate about Ukraine, the Ukrainians and helping innocent humans wounded during the war.
Our mission
Our staff & volunteers
Our mission
Limbs For Liberty (LFL) is determined to help amputees from Ukraine to receive a prosthetic treatment so that they can feel wholesome again. Our organization serves as a liaison between the prosthetic doctors and potential donors in a common effort to help people from Ukraine who lost their limbs as an outcome of this unjustified and gru
Limbs For Liberty (LFL) is determined to help amputees from Ukraine to receive a prosthetic treatment so that they can feel wholesome again. Our organization serves as a liaison between the prosthetic doctors and potential donors in a common effort to help people from Ukraine who lost their limbs as an outcome of this unjustified and gruesome war.
LFL is a team of very diverse but passionate volunteers that work to accomplish our mission through doing fundraising events, collecting private donations and finding prosthetists in the US and other countries who can provide the treatment
Why donate
Our staff & volunteers
Our mission
Russian invasion of Ukraine leaves behind many personal tragedies. One of those tragedies is the amount of amputees that we see in Ukraine today. By the end of war there estimated to be thousands of both soldiers and civilians with limb losses who will need prosthetics. Not all of those people will receive immediate help or any help at al
Russian invasion of Ukraine leaves behind many personal tragedies. One of those tragedies is the amount of amputees that we see in Ukraine today. By the end of war there estimated to be thousands of both soldiers and civilians with limb losses who will need prosthetics. Not all of those people will receive immediate help or any help at all.
Your donation will go directly to helping an amputee child, young adult or adult acquire prosthetics and enhance their quality of life and encompassing the growth and development of the child, young adult or adult.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Tyler Schmidt went to Ukraine in April hoping to help in that war-torn country. He returned with an even deeper devotion to that mission.
Schmidt, of Avon, is a nurse practitioner and a veteran of the U.S. Army’s Green Berets. He and fellow veteran Greg Miller, a physician’s assistant, self-funded a spring mission with a desire to help in
Tyler Schmidt went to Ukraine in April hoping to help in that war-torn country. He returned with an even deeper devotion to that mission.
Schmidt, of Avon, is a nurse practitioner and a veteran of the U.S. Army’s Green Berets. He and fellow veteran Greg Miller, a physician’s assistant, self-funded a spring mission with a desire to help in any way they could.
Schmidt is a combat veteran, so he’s seen a lot. But even staying west of the heaviest fighting, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw in Ukraine.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Limbs for Liberty, a local charity organization dedicated to crisis relief in Ukraine, is offering a new opportunity for residents and businesses in Eagle County to support those affected by the conflict with Russia. The “Adopt a Family” program, which launched Monday, allows private sponsors to financially back an internally displaced f
Limbs for Liberty, a local charity organization dedicated to crisis relief in Ukraine, is offering a new opportunity for residents and businesses in Eagle County to support those affected by the conflict with Russia. The “Adopt a Family” program, which launched Monday, allows private sponsors to financially back an internally displaced family, funding their housing, food, and other costs of living.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Painting for prosthetics: Local event aims to help war victims in Ukraine. A portion of proceeds from Cocktails & Canvas benefits Limbs for Liberty, which provides prosthetics for war victims in Ukraine.
A local organization providing aid to civilians wounded in the Russia-Ukraine war wants people to know they can help in the smallest of
Painting for prosthetics: Local event aims to help war victims in Ukraine. A portion of proceeds from Cocktails & Canvas benefits Limbs for Liberty, which provides prosthetics for war victims in Ukraine.
A local organization providing aid to civilians wounded in the Russia-Ukraine war wants people to know they can help in the smallest of ways, even with just a few brushstrokes. On Tuesday, Alpine Arts Center will host Cocktails & Canvas to support Limbs for Liberty, a local nonprofit designed to help amputees from Ukraine benefit from prosthetic treatment. It may seem like a trivial thing: Painting while sipping a drink, but a portion of each registration fee directly funds prosthetics and other assistance for Ukrainians suffering the atrocities of war, and a silent auction and bake sale also contribute to the fundraiser.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Tuesday’s Trivia Night at Route 6 Café benefits Ukraine.
What does the yellow and blue mean on the Ukrainian flag? What year did the country appear in the World Cup and reach the quarterfinals?
While the questions at Tuesday’s Trivia Night at Route 6 Café and Lounge won’t predominantly be about Ukraine (but rather, about Vail and Beaver C
Tuesday’s Trivia Night at Route 6 Café benefits Ukraine.
What does the yellow and blue mean on the Ukrainian flag? What year did the country appear in the World Cup and reach the quarterfinals?
While the questions at Tuesday’s Trivia Night at Route 6 Café and Lounge won’t predominantly be about Ukraine (but rather, about Vail and Beaver Creek history), the benefit will be all for Ukraine. Limbs for Liberty, a local nonprofit that provides free prosthetics to Ukrainians who have lost limbs during the war, is hosting the game night to remind people about the power of community.
Though it is a fundraiser (and a pretty darn good one, with two free drinks, appetizers and prizes), organizers are focusing more on creating community rather than asking for donations.
Boulder Daily Camera
Boulder Daily Camera
Boulder Daily Camera
Colorado nonprofit helps Ukraine Soldier
Despite Ukraine being 5,000 miles away from Colorado, the Limbs for Liberty nonprofit group is determined to help Ukrainian soldiers who have been injured in the Russian-Ukrainian war.Andrii Chersak, a 24-year-old Ukrainian soldier, is the first amputee that Limbs for Liberty has welcomed for trea
Colorado nonprofit helps Ukraine Soldier
Despite Ukraine being 5,000 miles away from Colorado, the Limbs for Liberty nonprofit group is determined to help Ukrainian soldiers who have been injured in the Russian-Ukrainian war.Andrii Chersak, a 24-year-old Ukrainian soldier, is the first amputee that Limbs for Liberty has welcomed for treatment and to receive a prosthetic leg. The Colorado organization started last year, to help Ukrainian soldiers who lost limbs receive prosthetics and help Ukrainian citizens.On the Limbs for Liberty website, Chersak said that he could not stand by and watch his country be invaded, so he joined the war effort. He started off by working at a machine-gun factory and was later moved to a brigade.