For me, volunteering is voluntary assistance and support that benefits others without expecting rewards. Hello, I am a volunteer with Volunteer Community (Dnipro). My journey into volunteering began with a desire to help others, and my first volunteer experience was with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine. That's when I realized how rewarding it is to assist other people and hear words of gratitude from them. This motivated me to continue on my path of volunteerism. Today, despite time constraints, I participate in all the center's initiatives, from targeted assistance to global projects.

In my opinion, volunteering contributes to personal growth, reveals the best human qualities, helps establish personal connections, and immerses one in the life and traditions of the community. It's a wonderful experience of self-discovery and an opportunity to change oneself and one's environment for the better.

Hello, my name is Pavel Korzh. I became a volunteer because I consider volunteering to be a noble deed, akin to chivalry. For several years, I have been participating in projects at the center that help improve the lives of our wards. It seems fair to me because every member of society should have the opportunity to enjoy its benefits.

At the beginning of my journey, I was involved in distributing humanitarian aid. Later on, I joined projects such as "We Are Together" and "Crisis 2022," within which we provide support to people with serious illnesses and people with disabilities who find themselves in difficult situations, as well as ensuring the socialization of our elderly wards. I see that our efforts help change people's lives for the better, and I feel proud to be part of a large and cohesive team!

Volunteering teaches me to cope with any difficulties, but the only problem is the lack of time. Due to my main job, I cannot participate in center projects as often as I would like. But as soon as I have free time, I go where my like-minded people are waiting for me.

During my time as a volunteer, I have understood the main thing - if you really want to change the world for the better, then nothing is impossible. It's enough to make a plan and make certain efforts. This inspires me to help others and gives me the strength to act!

Hello, my name is Zhanna Khomenko. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be helpful to those around me. My first step into volunteering was making toys for children. With them, I hoped to bring more joy and positive emotions into the lives of little ones. I believe that any help is important, but I wanted something more, something grand and significant, so I joined the volunteer center.

Since then, I have participated in various volunteer actions and projects. In addition to making toys, I cooked jam for charity fairs and also taught other volunteers how to crochet. I am glad that my skills have proved useful for our common cause. Moreover, I am ready to learn something new so that my abilities to help others expand.

Volunteering brings me immense pleasure. The only problem I encounter is a lack of time. But I try to structure my schedule to find time to help others, and most of the time I succeed.

Today, I can confidently say that volunteering has opened up new horizons for me. It also helps me feel useful to others. I am energized by their gratitude, and I want to do even more!

My name is Daniil, and I joined the volunteer center because I've always wanted to help others but didn't know where to start. Now, being part of the Volunteer Community team, I realize that these are wonderful people and we have unique projects. I have set many goals that I want to achieve both independently and with the center. I aspire to participate in more projects and expand the boundaries of DVC's activities because doing good deeds is addictive – once you do one, you can't stop.

I am Yulia Tabakina, a practical psychologist at Krivoy Rog Lyceum No. 24 and a consultant for the Hotline of Psychological Support in Krivoy Rog. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, I have taken an active public stance and chosen areas of activity where I can be helpful. I provide free psychological assistance, consultations, and create psychological programs to support children and youth. I also actively participate in various charitable actions, runs, and projects.

Since 2023, I have joined the friendly and creative team of the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community, where I lead the "Читануті" Book Club. The club was created to popularize Ukrainian literature, the Ukrainian language, modern authors, and reading in general. We organize events where people can exchange books, donate them to hospitals, or recycle them. With the funds raised, we can finance various projects of our center.

In the future, I plan to expand the club's boundaries to include lectures, training sessions, educational events, support groups, and events on various psychological topics. I aim to organize a book club for children and teenagers, where they will not only read books but also discuss them with a psychological basis, exploring topics that contribute to the development of emotional and social intelligence. Additionally, I plan to create a reading group for people with special needs or other vulnerable groups.

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!

My name is Larisa Vorovko. Currently, I work as a specialist in the communal sector, and I have had several professional directions in the past. However, each time I found many positive aspects in these changes: new knowledge, skills, acquaintances, and friends. Experience is always valuable! I joined Volunteer Community at Hesed Hanna in December 2021 because of a strong desire to help those in need and because I know how to knit. I came across a request for help in knitting items for premature babies from one of the charitable organizations on social media and decided to reach out. We talked, and since then, I have become an active member of the "Thread of Kindness" club at Hesed Hanna. I love to learn and constantly develop myself (especially informal education), so I didn't miss the opportunity to participate in online training at the Volunteer Community school. It's truly a wonderful school, and I recommend it to everyone! I'm proud to be part of a creative team of like-minded individuals!

My name is Sonia and I’m 14. I am fond of painting, so I study at the art school where I can develop my talent. In addition, I frequent the Jewish Youth Club Mifgash. There I learned about volunteering and volunteer center in our city. For me, volunteering is an opportunity to do something good, to give happiness to someone. I participated in the projects «Recipe book», «Good Deeds Week», «Trips to the orphanage,» and now I am a leader of the youth club and the volunteer project of the AJT «Vishuddha». I would like to wish all the volunteers not to stop developing and spreading their activity, because volunteering gives us inspiration to live.

My name is Irina Khokhlova and my love for "Halom" is exactly as long as this incredible organization exists. I would like to once again express my love and gratitude to the wonderful “Halom” team, which makes my life more interesting, active and diverse. And I don't stand aside! At one of the Shabbatons, I even received a grant for the realization of my old dream - the project "Meetings with Famous Jews of Kyiv". Later, I also worked on the Kosher Golden Goose project. This month, I'm going to be hosting a birthday party with Halom, and I'm happy to host! I can't imagine my life without interesting events organized by Halom. And I hope that all this will continue for many years to come!

He has been involved in volunteering before but got acquainted with the network during his wife's online training at the "Volunteer School." Since then, he has dedicated 5-8 hours weekly to creating good deeds with other participants. Initially, he participated in the "Interaction" project, where they delivered food packages to Hesed clients, communicated with them, and assisted with household issues. Later, he participated in the "Caring Connection" project and, for two months, delivered phones to about 40 Hesed clients. With each passing time, the number of projects he participates in increases. As he works in higher education, he involves students and colleagues in volunteering.

He is inspired by the people around him, and his family motivates and supports him.

He is grateful to the Volunteer Community network for the opportunity to help, develop, meet people, establish connections between cities and countries, expand his horizons, and enrich his knowledge with new and very interesting experiences!

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!