Along with a convoy of about 20 other vehicles — all emblazoned with the American flag — Lake Oswego firefighter Toby Hays drove a Lake Oswego fire engine through Kyiv and other towns in Ukraine last year. At times he was greeted with cheers and people jumping up and down in support.
“It was pretty moving for me,” he said.
The Lake Oswego Fire Department donated a 1995 Pierce fire engine/pumper to the Ukrainian Resistance Foundation and, with the help of Hays, the organization delivered it to State Emergency Services of Ukraine in Kyiv as Ukraine’s war with Russia continues.
Hays said he has embarked on many mission trips with the nonprofit organization Global Mission Readiness and was excited for the opportunity to support Ukraine, which has been fighting an invasion by Russia since early 2022.
“I wanted to support the Ukrainian people and, as a life experience, I didn’t think I would ever be presented with this opportunity,” he said.
Hays and others flew to Poland, then drove the vehicles through the Ukrainian border and to Kyiv. The trip lasted 10 days and he spent half that time traveling.