COYOTES, DR. DAN OLESNICKY, DESERT CHAPEL SEND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO UKRAINE WAR FRONT

SoCal Coyotes players, staff and Desert Chapel stud

(PALM SPRINGS) – Medical supplies to aid women, children and civilian soldiers are being packed and shipped to the Ukrainian war front by The SoCal Coyotes Nonprofit Organization.

“We must either all stand as one for the Ukrainian people, or quite literally, as a charitable organization, we stand for nothing at all,” said SoCal Coyotes nonprofit CEO and head coach J David Miller.

With oversight and coordination from first-generation Ukrainian Dr. Dan Olesnicky, a Coyote team doctor and partner since 2012, the Coyotes are also asking for the public’s help to assemble and/or contribute specific components for desperately needed ‘medical kits.’

“Everyone is capable of assembling medical kits that will save lives right now in Europe,” says Dr. Olesnicky, a retired Palm Springs reserve police officer who has trained SWAT teams for 20 years. 

An emergency medicine doctor in Indian Wells, Dr. Olesnicky is spearheading efforts across overseas networks to train Ukrainian combat medics and get supplies to battered civilians. 

“We are ‘training the trainers’,” Dr. Olesnicky said. “We are condensing emergency medical lessons for Ukrainian citizens, in hopes that they can care for their friends and neighbors.”

Medical Kit Components

Each kit can be made for less than $10. The Coyotes and Dr. Olesnicky are asking everyone who can to please consider making 10 kits to send.

Detailing the preferred components of the kits in a video posted to this story, Dr. Olesnicky asks that kits are assembled with:

• 4 large and extra large vinyl gloves
• 2 extra large surgical dressings or maxi pads
• 4 butterfly closures or sterile strips
• 6 heavy duty bandaids
• 3 large 4×4 gauze pads
• 1 tube or a couple of packets of triple antibiotic ointment
• 1 self-adhering bandage (like Coban wrap) or elastic bandage wrap (like Ace wrap)
• 1 cotton bandage roll or rolled gauze

Coyotes, Students Packing Kits

The Coyotes make their home at Desert Chapel, 630 Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs. Those seeking to help may drop off supplies at that location Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Coyote players, staff and Desert Chapel students are working together to assemble, pack, and ship the kits.

“The Coyotes are gravely concerned for the innocent women and children caught in the middle of this armed conflict, forced from their homes in sub-zero temperatures, and exposed to injury, hunger and cold,” Coach Miller said. 

Prayer for Those Who Suffer 

A faith-based organization, the Coyotes believe in the power of prayer to change lives and situations. 

“We ask God’s grace and deliverance for the millions who are displaced and suffering,” said Miller. “God is love, God is mercy, and frankly, God is our only hope.” 

Coyotes’ SVP Ron DiGrandi is coordinating the overall efforts between the nonprofit, Desert Chapel, and Dr. Olesnicky. 

“For the past decade, the SoCal Coyotes organization has helped hundreds of organizations, throughout the Coachella Valley, and around the country,” said Mr. DiGrandi.

“In the face of this horror, we are humbled to now do everything in our power to help the Ukrainian people.”

For more information, call 844-5-COYOTE, or email [email protected].

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR – In 2021, California State Senator Melissa Melendez selected the SoCal Coyotes from 40,000 other District 28 Inland Empire and Coachella Valley organizations as ‘Nonprofit of the Year.’  Learn more about how the Coyote full-service nonprofit organization annually impacts thousands of lives across the region at TheSoCalCoyotes.com.

About Dr. Dan Olesnicky

The relationship between Dr. Olesnicky and the Coyotes dates back to their inaugural championship season in 2012. SoCal became the first pro football organization to benefit from award-winning SWAT Fuel performance supplements developed by Dr. Olesnicky for weight management, appetite control, energy, stamina, fitness, training, operations and more. SWAT Fuel (swatfuel.com) is the only supplement approved by the American Board of Tactical Medicine.