RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Army soldiers from the North Carolina National Guard helped unload a trailer with medical equipment, mobility aids and educational supplies that arrived at a state-operated warehouse in Raleigh in October, bringing together a western North Carolina church, the North Carolina National Guard’s State Partnership Program and the North Carolina secretary of state’s office in a humanitarian effort supporting communities in Moldova.
The donations came primarily from Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, North Carolina, where retired Col. Craig Mix and his wife, Mary Mix, have helped organize support for the Eastern European nation.
Craig Mix, a former bilateral affairs officer in Moldova with the North Carolina National Guard, maintains close ties to the country through his service on the board of the Moldova World Children’s Fund and his continued involvement in the North Carolina-Moldova partnership. The couple previously lived in Moldova for approximately three years and recently returned to visit communities, orphanages and Ukrainian refugees.
“We know that they have so many needs,” Mary Mix said. Drawing on their experiences and longstanding relationships, the couple helped organize a church fundraising and donation effort, collecting medical equipment, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and educational supplies for people in need.
The humanitarian effort reflects a partnership between North Carolina and Moldova that extends well beyond military cooperation. Established in 1996, the North Carolina National Guard’s State Partnership Program with Moldova has grown into a relationship involving military organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits and community groups.
Capt. Kory Dearie, a North Carolina National Guard State Partnership Program representative, explained that donated supplies are collected in response to requests from Moldovan partners, inventoried and prepared for overseas shipment. The North Carolina secretary of state’s office also supports the state’s longstanding relationship with Moldova, helping connect organizations and humanitarian initiatives.
For recipients in Moldova, donations of mobility equipment can provide greater independence, while educational supplies offer additional opportunities for children and students. The effort also addresses needs associated with Ukrainian refugees and others affected by the war in neighboring Ukraine.
As North Carolina and Moldova mark 30 years of National Guard partnership in 2026, the donation demonstrates how relationships developed through military cooperation continue to support humanitarian efforts. For Craig and Mary Mix and the members of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, those relationships offer an opportunity to turn longstanding friendships into practical assistance for communities thousands of miles away.
