OUR MISSION

We assist War Heroes in Ukraine with treatment and rehabilitation, utilizing global philanthropy experience.

THE BORDERLANDS FOUNDATION

Organization's Areas of Activity

The Borderlands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) American non-profit organization founded by Samuel P. N. Cook in 2022, aimed at providing comprehensive support to veterans and Heroes of the War in Ukraine through multi-level assistance and fundraising for Ukrainian and American treatment and rehabilitation programs for the veterans.

One of the main activities is the first annual U.S.-Ukraine Veterans Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled for June 7th at Andrews Air Force Base Golf Club near Washington, DC, USA. The charity tournament is held to raise funds to support Ukrainian Heroes.

Every contribution made during the Charity Golf Tournament will be directed to the Ukrainian patronage service "Angels of Azov" and the Borderlands Foundation, focusing on veterans' treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Treatment of War Veterans with PTSD

Among the main programs funded will be treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The therapy will include a range of measures aimed at improving the mental state of veterans and their reintegration into society.

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Psychedelic Therapy Research

An important component of rehabilitation is access to modern therapy methods, including psychedelic therapy. Research has shown that the use of psychedelics can significantly alleviate PTSD symptoms and promote rapid recovery of mental health. The Borderlands Foundation aims to raise funds to lobby for the legalization of psychedelic therapy for veterans at the legislative level and to research ketamine therapy involving leading American scientists.

Rehabilitation through Golf

Recent research in sports and rehabilitation has shown that golf contributes to the restoration of psycho-emotional balance, improves overall mental state, helps restore proper muscle and joint function most comfortably, unlocks new possibilities for the human mind, and expands awareness. One of the goals of raising funds at the U.S.-Ukraine Veterans Charity Golf Tournament is to participate in rehabilitation programs through golf in Ukraine, using American experience and the knowledge of leading specialists.

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Founder of THE BORDERLANDS FOUNDATION
Samuel P.N. Cook

Sam graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 with a degree in European History. He was then commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Army Cavalry. During his first tour in Iraq, he served as the Regimental Adjustant for COL H.R. McMaster during battle of Tal Afar where he helped handle the media and craft their narrative that this was a turning point in the war. After serving as a Troop Commander during the surge in 2007-8 in the Tigris River Valley, Sam was selected to go back to New York University to Study Russian History, and then went on to teach Russian History at West Point. After he left the Army, he moved to Poland in 2014 and Founded James Cook Media, where he created a world-renowned marketing course for business owners on how to use StoryTelling to craft authentic, powerful marketing campaigns. In 2018, he moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he founded a tech startup that was selected for LA Techstars in 2021. When the war Started in 2022, he founded the Borderlands Foundation. He lives in Kyiv with his wife Kateryna.

OUR JOURNEY

The Borderlands Story

Our Founding

Preparing for War

On 12 February, 2022 our Founder Samuel P.N. Cook evacuated his tech and media company team to the west of Ukraine. After the war started, on 26 February he founded the Borderlands Foundation to help refugees and support Ukraine.

Our Founding

Preparing for War

On 12 February, 2022 our Founder Samuel P.N. Cook evacuated his tech and media company team to Western Ukraine. After the war started, on 26 February he founded the Borderlands Foundation to help refugees and support Ukraine.

Borderlands Ukraine

Telling the Story of the War

Because of his social media posts during the leadup to the war, Sam's friends asked him to continue educating them on the situation inside Ukraine, so he started doing a daily podcast during the Battle of Kyiv with people inside Ukraine.

Teaching in Kyiv

War & StoryTelling in Ukraine

After returning to Ukraine, Sam joined the faculty of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the oldest University in Ukraine, at the school of Journalism, to teach his course on War & StoryTelling in Ukraine. This recorded lecture series is now available online.

Teaching in Kyiv

War & StoryTelling in Ukraine

Historical Center

Samuel P.N. Cook and General (Retired) David Petraeus

Launching our History Podcast

After hosting two VIP visits with General (Retired) David Petraeus to Kyiv, we interviewed him on his most recent trip to Kyiv for the First Episode of the Ukraine History Podcast, which features the people making and writing the history of the war.

Ukraine Veterans

U.S.-Ukraine Veterans Golf Tournament

The ultimate beneficiary of our work is the Heroes of Ukraine's Military creating the history of this war with their heroism and sacrifice. That is why we decided to launch the fundraiser for our center in their honor, and to help build awareness for them.

U.S.-Ukraine Freedom Summit

U.S.-Ukraine Defense Forum

U.S.-Ukraine Veterans Forum

The vision driving this initiative is to establish a premier international summit that fosters strategic defense partnerships and supports research and funding for innovative therapies and rehabilitation for Ukrainian war veterans.

Ukraine Veterans

U.S.-Ukraine Veterans' Golf Tournament

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE LECTURE SERIES "WAR AND STORYTELLING IN UKRAINE"

This 5-part lecture series was taught to the graduate students

of the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Journalism by Samuel P.N. Cook, the Founder of the Borderlands Foundation - a former U.S. Army Officer in Iraq who went on to teach Russian and Ukrainian History at West Point.

SIGN-UP FOR VIDEO SERIES

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT US

General (Retired)
David Petraeus

The Borderlands Foundation team has been very helpful during my visits to Ukraine and in my efforts to understand the situation there. Sam Cook knows the country, its leaders, and the reality on the ground. And his relationships, knowledge, and expertise have been invaluable – especially given that he is a combat veteran who commanded in Iraq, taught Russian history at the US Military Academy, is a marketing expert, and has assembled a superb team. The overall combination is very powerful.

Suzanne Kelly, CEO of the Cipher Brief

The Cipher Brief has had a great experience working with Sam and The Borderlands Foundation team on our visits to Ukraine as we work to better understand this war from all perspectives. Sam and his team were very helpful in coordinating impactful meetings that led to deeper understanding of what is happening on the ground, not just what’s being reported in the headlines. Sam is a great communicator, is incredibly well-connected and has been a trusted partner for us in Ukraine.

SFC Serhiy Yanchuk, 78th Air Assault

The Borderlands Foundation has created a strong community inside Ukraine that connects groups from across the world with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Security Services, and Civil Society. Sam Cook's personal connections and help have provided invaluable funding and training opportunities to the units that I have served in as part of Ukraine's Special and Regular Forces. Sam is committed to the future of Ukraine. He cares deeply about Ukraine and our ultimate victory against Russia.

Yuri Bogun Shchyrin, CEO AIM Marketing

Sam came to Ukraine in 2018, long before Ukraine was a global brand everyone admired. He believed in Ukraine, and helping its veterans long before the full scale invasion. I watched how he dropped everything he was doing, stepped away from his business, and started the Borderlands Foundation. On the Second day of the war, we both did a joint podcast together as I setup our community defense of my town of Bilohorodka.

Serhiy Kvit, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

As the President of the Kyiv Moyla Academy, I was pleasantly surprised in the summer of 2022 to meet an American history professor and marketing
media expert who told me his vision for creating the future of Ukraine's glorious history. We gave Sam a teaching spot at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy school of Journalism, where he taught an extraordinary course called War & StoryTelling in Ukraine for our students.

Evan Platt,
Co-Director,
Zero Line

The Borderlands Foundation has carved a niche for itself in Ukraine as being the place where we all know we can go to if we want to meet someone else important. Sam has been constantly meeting and understanding the nonprofits supporting Ukraine, and made it his mission to help us find connections and resources to support our mission. The Borderlands Foundation is a key part of the Ecosystem here.