Photo By Sgt. Grace Wajler | Multinational soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the KFOR 34 mission join...... read more read more
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Soldiers and leaders of Regional Command East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission, currently commanded by Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, joined together for two donation ceremonies to local Kosovo organizations, Feb. 21-24, 2025.
The donation ceremonies, organized by the Regional Command East’s Civil-Military Cooperation team, or CIMIC, were the culminating events after months of hard work and coordination by the entire 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team staff. Led by Washington Army National Guard 1st Lt. Ellen Bentley, currently assigned to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the donations included radios to the Novo Brdo Fire Department and toys and school supplies to the Zvecan, Kosovo based Santa Marija NGO.
The Novo Brdo Fire Department is the lead first responder agency in the municipality and is comprised of both ethnic Albanian and ethnic Serbian volunteers and firefighters.
The mission of the Santa Marija NGO is to protect women, children, and families in the local community from violence and abuse.
Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Evan Hessel, deputy commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, served as the keynote speaker at both ceremonies.
“At each event, the community representatives were gracious and expressed sincere gratitude for our efforts,” said Hessel. “It's a genuine honor to represent KFOR and Regional Command East in any public capacity, and particularly humbling to experience a warm reception when donating items that will enrich the lives and communities of the people of Kosovo.”
The impact of the donations will be felt beyond just the receiving organizations, though.
The radios donated to the Novo Brdo Fire Department will allow the fire department staff to communicate with each other more effectively, which can improve response efforts and ultimately assist in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all people of the municipality of Novo Brdo.
As for the toys, art supplies, puzzles and other educational resources donated to the Santa Marija NGO, the organization announced they will distribute some of the donations to their partners in the area whose mission is in line with protecting families from violence and harm, regardless of the ethnicity of the communities.
The one thing that stands out among the Soldiers of KFOR Regional Command East’s CIMIC team is their desire to help and serve the people of Kosovo during times of need.
“CIMIC donations foster mutual understanding between KFOR and local organizations that enhances effectiveness and efficiency in crisis management and conflict prevention and resolution,” said Bentley, Kosovo Force Regional Command East CIMIC chief.
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2025 04:30 |
| Story ID: | 491888 |
| Location: | ZZ |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, KFOR RC-E CIMIC coordinates, conducts donations to Kosovo Organizations, by CPT James Mason, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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