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.

For me, volunteering is an opportunity to help those in need and make positive changes in the surrounding environment. My journey into volunteering began during the time when the war started in Ukraine. I couldn't stand aside and immediately joined the volunteer movement.

All my efforts are directed towards projects within the Volunteer Community, where I serve as a coordinator. We provide assistance to those in need and contribute to improving the lives of others.

Despite certain challenges, volunteering gives me new knowledge, new connections, and brings great satisfaction from the fact that I can help others and make the world a better place.

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.

Probably, my parents, who have been resting in a better place for almost 45 years now, led me to volunteering. They passed away very young, 8 months apart, one after the other. Although they were not volunteers in the modern sense, they are remembered with respect and kind words are still said about them. Over time, their actions and actions become more and more significant. When my sister and I were little, they brought a white sheet and a slide projector out the door, gathered all the children, removed chairs from all sides, and dad showed filmstrips, and mom read texts. When we started school, there were no best friends for our classmates to give advice or help organize and resolve disputes. They worked at one job, but had different positions - mom in the personnel department, and dad was the deputy director for labor protection. I already learned about how they helped the employees from the children and grandchildren of the employees, who still remember their good deeds. I can talk a lot about them, but it's better to go and see with your own eyes.

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.

I have graduated the technical school of radio electronics. I worked as the engineer at the plant, and now I am a freelancer. With great pleasure, I spend my free time in LVC. I like to help the older people. Also I consider a point of honor, the participation in the “ Memory Road” project where we clean and make order in the places which are connected with the Jewish memory. I like to read very much, and now me and a group of the volunteers prepare the “ Bookcrossing” project to start.

Hello!

My name is Svetlana Nikolaevna Chabanenko, and I have been living in the magical city of Kryvyi Rih since September 24, 1996. My life is filled with three important components: knitting, reading books, and my fluffy cats.

One day, a friend shared information with me about the "Yarn of Kindness" project, which had just started.

Thanks to this project, I was able to not only create beautiful sets for my granddaughter but also started knitting for granddaughters and prematurely born babies. This allowed me to provide them with warmth and comfort during this challenging period. My joy lies in the smiles of the mothers of these children, and it inspires me to continue my creative activities.

I wish the Volunteer Community network even more bright volunteers and grateful clients. Thank you for what you do!

For me, volunteering is not only the pursuit of individual success but also a path to giving back to society. I have always believed that successful individuals should dedicate some of their time to public needs. So, when I had the opportunity to do something useful for people, I gladly took it.

My volunteer journey began with organizing sports events, particularly sports competitions and training sessions for running and Nordic walking. It was not only an opportunity to engage in sports but also a way to provide support to the community. I actively participated in projects of Hesed and the Maccabi sports club, helping organize active parks and sports events. In this way, I combined my love for sports with volunteering and assisting others.

Certainly, volunteering comes with certain challenges, but I see them as minor obstacles. The most important thing I gain from volunteering is motivation, energy, and immense satisfaction from being able to help others and make the world a better place.

Hello, my name is Ekaterina Stoetskaya, and for over 10 years I have been involved in volunteering. My first step on this path was participating in a choir for veterans. Since then, I have been involved in many initiatives and have become part of a large team that helps make our world a better place.

Over the years of my volunteering experience, I have seen many times how easy it is to solve any problem if we tackle it together. This is the power of the volunteer movement, where the trickle of your personal help turns into a powerful river of real support. I participate in several projects: "Helping Hands" for the wounded, "Day of Good Deeds," "Children's Protection Day," "Volunteer Day," and others.

I enjoy fulfilling my volunteer duties and draw inspiration from each new initiative. I like helping others. I know that many volunteers lack time, but I have no problem with that. I consider myself lucky because I am doing what I love and at the same time bringing real benefit to our community.

Volunteering allows me to feel involved in a larger common cause and realize that my contribution to improving the lives of others is very important. Receiving words of gratitude from our wards makes me feel a great desire to do even more good deeds!

Volunteering for me is about assistance, collaboration, and compassion. Hello, my name is Natalia Kobzar, and I am a volunteer. For me, volunteering means providing help, collaborating, and showing compassion. Whenever I have free time, I always seek opportunities to assist those in need.

I enjoy bringing joy to the center's beneficiaries by visiting them as part of the "Shabbat Guest" project. I also like interacting with other people and participating in projects that contribute to spiritual development and mutual understanding. For me, "being a volunteer" means helping others and deriving immense pleasure from it!

Hi all! My name is Vladislav and I want to tell you about my favorite pastime - volunteering. For me, this is not just a process, but a way of life that helps me make the world a better place. My friends also volunteer with me, which makes me very happy, as the process itself becomes more entertaining. We have many funny stories together that we often like to remember, as well as we take care of several grandmothers whom we regularly help. For me, volunteering is not only an opportunity to help others, but also a chance for personal development. This is the ability to realize my responsibility to society and understand that my actions can make the world a better place. When I do good deeds, I feel that there is a kind-hearted message from me to the people who need help. This way I spend a few hours a week that later aree transformed into someone's smile or just comfort and safety and I think that it's really worth it, at least from my point of view.

For me, volunteering is an opportunity to do good and provide assistance to those in need. I believe in the power of collective action and the possibility of improving the lives of others through our efforts.

My volunteering journey began with an invitation from my leader to join this incredibly important cause. His words about how volunteering can change the world encouraged me to take action and make the world a better place.

As a volunteer, I participate in the "Shabbat Guest" project. This initiative allows me to meet different people, help them, and provide support. Each encounter reminds me of how important it is to help people in difficult times.

Although my volunteering experience has been quite successful, sometimes I face challenges in my personal life that hinder my participation in projects. However, I always strive to find time for volunteer initiatives.