Miromar Lakes man finds passion in preserving democracy around world, aiding Ukrainians

As a child, Jim Gamache received the world as a gift — and that globe planted a seed that would lead to a life of travel and now a passion for helping refugees while preserving democracy.

Gamache, 69, of Miromar Lakes, will soon return to the frontlines of the war in Ukraine, a trip he's taken twice since Russia attacked the Eastern European country two years ago. He'll meet with a journalist documenting the war, Ukrainians he's embraced as family, and serve in any way he can.

"Ukrainians are just like us," he said. "They're freedom-loving people."

Gamache will share his experience with those interested at a reception at 4 p.m. March 20, followed by a presentation at 5 p.m., at the Crown Plaza, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive, Fort Myers.

He'll show short videos of the people of Ukraine, and even play clips of the Brad Paisley song "Same here", which includes a telephone interview with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also plans to introduce a special surprise guest and acknowledge all veterans.

A seasonal resident from Aurora, Illinois, Gamache will leave our paradise days later and return to a once beautiful, war-torn country that now has over 20,000 amputees, thousands of bombed out homes and apartment buildings, families maimed, lost or separated, and defenses in short supply.

"It didn't matter what you did in your career, you can all help in your own small way," he said, urging a global response. "... It's fulfilling. In some small way, you're helping."

More: 'Freedom is knowing your children will be safe': Ukrainian expatriates talk US, homeland

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Solo trip leads to soul-changing passion

Gamache recounts that he was on a September 2022 hiking trip in Poland when he skipped a group trip to the salt mines and took a bus to the Ukrainian border.

With the war going on, he asked himself what he was doing there: He speaks neither Ukranian nor Polish, and he's neither a doctor nor a soldier.

"This isn't right," he said he told himself. "I'm nothing more than a tourist while a war is going on."

While waiting for the bus to return to Krakow, he found a small cafe, where he stayed for four hours, ordering a beer and soup. During a long wait, he saw a Ukranian woman and her young son arrive.

He watched as a server turned down their request for a Pepsi after an awkward transaction. He offered to pay, asking the mother if she spoke English. He bought the boy the treat, and asked why they were there.

"I wanted my 5-year-old son to see his father for the first time in five months," she told him. Her husband staying behind to fight the Russians, they had moved to England during the beginning of the war and didn't know what the future held.

Then, the conversation turned.

"You're an American," she said. "Thank you and your country for your incredible support."

He said that simple act of gratitude was life-changing.

"It hit me like a ton of bricks," he said. "I said, 'I'm gonna help.'"

$75 billion, and counting, as Ukraine asks for aid

The Council on Foreign Relations reports that since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine received about $75 billion of U.S. foreign aid.

Gamache said the aid, about 3% of the U.S. Defense Department’s budget, has destroyed more 50% of Russia’s military capacity without the loss of a single US life.

However, as the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election looms, U.S. aid to Ukraine looks uncertain as funding legislation stalled in Congress, and Republicans and Democrats clash on spending.

"It's critically important right now to have politicians pass the bill to provide them with aid in the military package," he said, noting that they are critically short on ammunition and artillery.

For example, in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Russian missiles hit before the air raid sirens sound because it is 30 miles from the Russian border. They are not protected by Patriot missile batteries.

As Gamache spreads the word that funding is needed, he's doing his part.

In the past 18 months, he's raised $27,000 for aid to Ukraine and hopes to raise even more. While his talk will offer ways to help, he said he mainly wants to share what he's learned.

He said if the Ukrainian people did not stand up to their president in 2014, known as the Maidan Revolution or the Revolution of Dignity, their democracy would be lost and it would have followed the path of its neighbor to the north, Belarus, and become heavily influenced by Russia.

A decade later, their fight continues.

"There are all different types of democracy," Gamache said. "...Focus on the freedom element."

Standing up for 'what is right'

After his 2022 trip to the border, he networked and found people to get him back into the country as an aid worker in Liviv and Kyiv in May 2023. There, he met international volunteers of all ages and from across Europe, South Africa, Australia and the United States.

He even met a man from Fort Myers Beach who goes by the call sign "Tennessee" and had signed up to fight with the Ukrainian army. Today, they meet weekly for burgers and beer at a place near Gamache's home to talk about the war and their plans to return.

Near the end of the first trip, Gamache met freelance journalist Joe Lindsley with Ukraine Freedom News. Aired weekdays on Chicago's WGN radio, Lindsley let him go to interviews.

"They were extraordinary," Gamache said. "Artists, musicians, politicians, clergy — the chief rabbi of Ukraine — international soldiers, amputees ... humanitarians and businesspeople."

After he returned home, he asked Lindsley if he could share some of his news clips at an Illinois fundraiser.

"The conversations (are) very deep," he said. "Because of the war, there's limited small talk. There's conversation about life. Life goes on in ways we experience life here. Grandparents talk with grandchildren. Young people talk about music and dating ... at the same time, there's peace and war, with soldiers saying goodbye to their spouse, and soldiers saying hello to their children. It was extraordinary."

And he started a plan to return, calling himself "compelled."

"Lord thank you for this," he said of the experience. "What a way to live now."

Now in near-daily contact with Lindsley, he keeps abreast of breaking news and plans to meet him in the coming weeks.

"I believe in standing up for what's right," he said. "Good will overcome evil. ... I've not always done enough with the gifts I've been given. I'm trying to catch up."

How will money raised help those in the Ukraine?

Gamache has focused on four organizations that are doing the frontline help in the country, calling them "resourceful and impactful." They are:

Ukraine Freedom News: Raises funds for civilian and military supplies, including refurbishing 4X4s and providing night-vision goggles.

Front Line Kit: Works with volunteers producing energy bars, camouflage netting and basic supplies for the poor and displaced. Volunteers walk dogs and feed widows and orphans. It also delivered thermal imaging and kamikaze drones to frontline soldiers, its organizer reports.

Moe Kolo: Offers psychological assistance, equipping those in need, particularly women and children, with essential tools for resilience. Moe Kolo means “my circle”.

DeepInspire Foundation: Preserving the lives and health of every Ukrainian military medic and soldier.

All but Front Line Kit offer 501(c)3 options.

Stacey Henson is the breaking news and visuals editor for The Naples Daily News and Fort Myers News-Press. You may reach her at shenson@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Jim Gamache shares experience in war-torn Ukraine preserving democracy