The McHenry Police Department on Monday shipped 77 ballistic vests to help volunteer combatants in Ukraine fight against the Russian invasion. | Provided Photo

Following a request from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the McHenry Police Department announced they have donated and shipped dozens of extra ballistic vests to Ukraine.

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police said that retired Mokena Police Chief Steven Vaccaro’s sister, Jennifer Doloski, and her husband adopted three boys from Ukraine in the past decade.

The head of the agency that they worked with in Kyiv was killed by sniper fire on February 26.

Two other members of that adoption agency team are now fighting for their country and have issued an urgent request for ballistic vests to supply Ukrainian volunteer combatants, the police association said.

The McHenry Police Department on Monday shipped 77 ballistic vests to help volunteer combatants in Ukraine fight against the Russian invasion. | Provided Photo

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police sent a notice to police departments throughout Illinois on March 7 seeking vest donations.

The McHenry Police Department said they were “proud to answer this call.”

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The department on Monday shipped 77 retired ballistic vests to Ukraine to help keep their citizens safe as they defend their country and homes.

“We proudly stand with Ukraine and are honored to have the opportunity to help in their protection however small it may be,” the police department said.

Other police departments that wish to donate ballistic vests to Ukraine can find more information here and reach out to Jennifer Dolski or Steven Vaccaro.