Steve Rand comes from a small town in rural New Hampshire. He is spending his life raising his family, serving the nation in the armed forces, and carrying on the family legacy as the third-generation owner of the 100-year-old Rand Hardware store in the center of Plymouth. Â
A dedicated Rotary Club leader, Steve’s passion for serving others stands as a defining characteristic of his life. Rather than slowing down as he turns 80 years old on October 17, Steve’s latest chapter features some of his most courageous work. For starters, entering the war zone of Ukraine 10 times and counting. He has traveled to deliver critical humanitarian supplies and fund mental health counseling. The work mainly focuses on Ukrainian orphans, displaced children, and families.Â
Common Man for Ukraine Origins
Steve and three dear friends co-founded the grassroots nonprofit Common Man for Ukraine in February 2022. They were driven to action right after Russia’s all-out invasion of the country. Connecting to fellow volunteers on the ground in Ukraine and Poland through their Rotary network, Steve and those at Common Man for Ukraine flew over and started with a simple question. How can we help?Â
Fast forward more than two and a half years. Common Man for Ukraine has raised and delivered more than $3.5 million in humanitarian aid. Relief convoys organized by the nonprofit travel to Ukrainian orphanages, child-safe houses, and front-line villages twice each month, with Steve helping to lead 10 of them. The convoys have delivered more than two million pounds of food, 10,000 sleeping bags, hundreds of portable generators, and dozens of tons of additional critical supplies. Â
Lifting Up the Youth
Steve’s inspiring efforts to help Ukraine’s most vulnerable—the children of war
—also extends to their emerging mental health needs. Common Man for Ukraine funds and helps organize the Children of Ukraine Health Retreat. This is a monthly residential trauma counseling camp for Ukrainian children whose soldier-fathers were killed or are missing in the war. The retreat is staffed by certified counselors, teachers, and doctors. This team provides the children with a three-week respite from the war with group and individual counseling. Beyond that, a community of peers who truly understand what they are going through. To date, more than 800 children have been through this mental health program. Â
At a time in life when many deservedly slow down, Steve shows us all what one can do with enough heart and will, regardless of age. He’s turning 80 and continues to turn to help those who need support the most.
Anyone wishing to support Steve and Common Man for Ukraine are encouraged to visit the nonprofit’s website at commonmanforukraine.org.