Lyubov Shlapak is a pensioner, a client of the Kirovograd Regional Charity Community Jewish Centre «Hesed Shlomo» and a volunteer of the Kropyvnytskyi Volunteer Community since its inception. She is an active participant of the projects: “I’m a Volunteer!“, “Trips to Alexandria City“, “Bank of Goods“, and actions “Let’s Get a Schoolbag“, “Good Deeds Week“, “Let’s Make the Ukraine Clean“. Being a volunteer Lyubov holds master-classes on weaving for small children and master-classes on playing table tennis for teenagers and youth of “Hesed”, as she is a master of sports in table tennis. Lyubov is always ready to assist anybody in need. “In the Volunteer Centre I’ve met the like-minded people. We do a lot of good deeds together, giving the people we help our love and warmth of our hearts”, — Lyubov Shlapak says.

My volunteer journey with the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community began in 2023 when my family and I were invited to participate in the "Day of Good Deeds" quest. Currently, I participate in our center's projects whenever possible, including "Interaction," "Sewing Studio," "Embroidered Fate or the Nation's Code," and "Charity Box."

Since childhood, my parents, through their example, instilled in me the awareness of the importance of selfless help to those in need. Their care for others has always been a reflection of the kind of person I want to be. Now, I feel a responsibility to my son. Watching my activities, I want him to understand the importance of doing good and helping others. Volunteering has become a way to teach my son important life values.

Mark Twain once said, "We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it — and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again, and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore." The belief that kindness can save our world inspires me every day. I believe that every act of kindness (even one that may seem insignificant at first) contributed to society helps change the world for the better.

Our family has joined Halom back in 2016. At that time, my daughter Liza was still a teenager, and youth programs and Shabbat, which were held at the Center, immediately became a part of our lives. Lisa studied at the Halom Madrich school, participated in volunteer programs, began to organize various events and holidays on her own, and I volunteered with Halom Volume. All these years we grew up and studied together with Halom) Now Liza is already working in Halom, and although I am abroad, I do not lose touch with Halom and continue to volunteer through the Prosvita online project. Halom has become a Jewish family for us!

Olga Nikitina. I am 24. 3 years I lived in Israel. I am the member of the volunteering Center from the day of its opening, because I often attend the Community Center «Thija», and I couldn’t miss the new initiative, which is very useful for our community. As for me, the volunteering, first of all, is a pleasant possibility to help to the other people, and desirably, I am very glad to help with the things which I can do by myself. I became the co-author and the volunteer of the project “Kind Guest”. And I get much pleasure cooking according to the recipes of our ancestors, thereby, making the goodness to the members of my community in the present. People say, that my dishes are very tasty. And I think, it is so because I do it with all my love.

My name is Valentina Petrovna Dolgoruk. I am a pensioner, and my hobbies are knitting and embroidery. One day, one of the volunteers invited me to join the "Pled Tysyacha Serdets" (Blanket of a Thousand Hearts) project. Since then, starting from April 2022, I began knitting blankets and sets for premature babies in maternity hospitals. During the winter, we also knitted socks for our soldiers. In this way, I became a part of the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community. We have many interesting projects, and I really enjoy doing good deeds together with our volunteers. I invite everyone who is willing to join our team and create goodness together with us!

I have always sought to help other people, and it brought me great joy. The desire to change lives for the better led me to the path of volunteering.

I have been involved in various projects and initiatives, including "Thread of Kindness," "Children's Protection Day," "Bring Joy," "School Bag for a Child," "Hanukkah Marathon," and "Shabbat Guest." Despite their differences, they all share a common goal - to help those in need.

Unfortunately, I don't always have enough time to participate in all volunteering events, but I strive to be actively involved in the center's activities. The lack of time is not a reason for me to give up volunteering.

Volunteering has become a part of who I am, and it is a significant part of my life. I derive immense pleasure from this activity because I love being needed, helping others, and receiving support from others.

Hello! My name is Oleg. I got acquainted with the volunteer movement at one of the city events. Volunteers then organized a children’s entertainment location, with interesting master classes. And then I thought, «I, too, can teach good children!». My passion is pottery. And it’s these skills that I now pass to children. I participate in all activities where you can place a potter’s wheel and share your skills. I also take part in environmental actions. And I am a volunteer for helping elderly people — to rearrange furniture, make repairs, fix furniture. I like helping! I feel right!

Volunteering, for me, is not just a way to relax or undergo therapy - it is something greater. It is an opportunity to actively influence the world around us and make it a little better.

My choice to engage in volunteering was driven by the desire to make the world a better place to live. In 2012, I began my volunteering journey by assisting in the celebration of Odessa City Day. That day marked the beginning of something new and significant for me.

Over time, my volunteering experience expanded, and now I participate in 70% of events in Odessa and 10% of events throughout Ukraine. It provides an opportunity not only to do good deeds but also to meet new interesting people and learn something new.

Of course, there are challenges in volunteering; not everyone always understands why one should spend their time helping others. However, this does not deter me because I believe in the true value of volunteering and am confident that my work has meaning.

For me, volunteering is tranquility and the opportunity to be an example for the new generation of volunteers. It brings me pleasure and joy because I know that my efforts are not in vain and contribute to the benefit of our society.

I've been involved in volunteer activities for just over a year.

I believe that in such challenging times, people, especially vulnerable groups, need assistance. For me, volunteering is, above all, a moral duty to myself and to society. From the beginning of my volunteer journey, I realized that I enjoy doing good deeds and helping people.

Currently, volunteering plays a significant role in my life, and even with a busy work schedule, I still find time for it.

By doing good deeds, I feel that even one small person can become part of something big and positive in this world.

I find joy in helping others. It's crucial for me to be helpful and bring happiness to others. Among my favorite volunteer "duties" is baking challah. Every time I assist in baking challah for the community, I feel inspired. Most importantly, everyone I work with is always friendly and positive. This inspires me to continue helping and doing good deeds.

My name is Yulia Marchenko and I live in the beautiful city of Krivoy Rog. My exciting journey as a volunteer at Volunteer Community started with an invitation from an extremely dedicated friend of mine. I was instantly fascinated by the Ball of Kindness project, given my ability to make incredible things out of wool. Together with the masters of this wonderful project, we started knitting kits for premature babies, providing them with comfort and love. Over time, I developed my own unique project called "The Ball of Creativity", which is really full of unforgettable moments. This project is able to reach a wide audience, from restless kids to wise old people. Together we are engaged in unusual creativity that helps us relax, find rest for our multifaceted mind and get unsurpassed pleasure from every step of the creative process.

What does volunteering mean for me? This means to live with heart, to do what you can without expecting payment or praise. I like very much to be a volunteer. I’ve experienced it myself, and I believe that to help others, to take care of others, to enjoy and to have fun with the process is the most natural desire of a person.