Art Davidson grew up in Colorado and has lived his adult life in Alaska. He has always had a great appreciation for nature and the outdoors, becoming a mountaineer and an author. He has done many different things in his life including helping create Alaska’s first state park, fighting for indigenous-people rights, and running a successful business.
In 1967, together with two other mountaineers, he was the first to climb McKinley (now Denali) in winter - the highest peak in North America. "Minus 148: The First Winter Ascent of Mt. McKinley", the book he wrote about this historic climb, is considered a classic of mountaineering literature and was named one of the 100 best mountain books of all time by National Geographic. After completing his adventure with mountaineering, Davidson devoted himself to working to protect the landscape and environment in Alaska and help indigenous people save their cultural identity. He also authored "Endangered Peoples" about the struggles of indigenous peoples around the world. He met Anne Garrels, a long-time reporter for NPR, during the Iraq war, and worked with both Shia and Sunnis to get relief to children orphaned in the conflict.
After hearing about the war in Ukraine Art knew he had to do something. He started sending aid of all kinds, medical supplies, drones, helmets, and flak jackets to the defenders of Ukraine. During this time he heard about George and his work bringing orphans out of Kharkiv. In April with his son Joe and daughter Cung, he traveled to Chernivtsi, into a country at war, to see George and visit the future site of Bono Fortis. He decided then and there that he must help. Committed to doing what he could Art pledged to support Dobrodeearium, and his son Joe decided to stay in Ukraine and volunteer for Dobrodeearium.