My name is Yana, and I started volunteering in September 2022. What motivates me to volunteer? Firstly, I believe that through volunteering, we not only make the world a better place but also improve ourselves. During this time, I have changed for the better, and I don't want to stop here. Secondly, it's an unforgettable feeling when you know you are contributing to the development of your city and country and making a positive impact on society. Thirdly, I simply love it! Volunteering has become my lifestyle, and I don't want to change it. In the Sumy Volunteer Community, I found a true volunteer family where you not only help others but also receive support and motivation yourself. Now, volunteering is my personal contribution to our common victory so that I can later understand that I also made efforts toward it and was not indifferent to Ukraine's fate. When I do good deeds, I experience a very pleasant feeling that is impossible to describe in just one word. It's a mix of happiness, joy, satisfaction, inspiration, and pride... My heart warms when, after doing a good deed, I see a contented, well-fed cat or receive a smile and hear kind words. Back in my school years, I read a beautiful quote by Amelia Earhart, with which I completely agree: "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." I hope that through my good deeds, I inspire someone to do good, and together we create a global cycle of kindness in the world.

My name is Inna Davnich. Once, my friend invited me to join the "Marathon of Good," and later, I participated in the "Interaction" and "Charity Box" projects. Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community is an organization with wonderful people who are always ready to help and support. It provides an opportunity to assist, develop, broaden one's horizons, and engage with people. I really enjoy helping those in need. The most important thing is that I am involved in something truly meaningful.

I hope that new volunteers join our movement, bringing fresh perspectives and new projects.

Hello, my name is Ivan Kostenko, and I am an experienced volunteer. I took my first steps in volunteering several years ago in my hometown. At the youth center, I helped organize events for young people and provided support to children from low-income families. This activity perfectly matched my inner desire to help other people.

Currently, I hold the position of co-coordinator of the "Good Life" project, which is aimed at conducting various socially significant events and implementing volunteer projects. Our assistance is directed towards children with special needs, veterans, youth facing difficult life conditions, and other categories of people in need of our support. We have a cohesive team, which helps us achieve impressive results in the field of volunteering.

Volunteering brings me immense pleasure, and the main problems we face are the lack of resources and time. However, they are quite solvable if we apply a creative approach and learn to plan effectively. For example, we successfully attract resources from external sources to implement our projects.

For me, "being a volunteer" means actively participating in society's life, helping it become better. At the same time, I myself have the opportunity to develop and reach new heights. I am glad to be among volunteers and grateful that I once chose this path!

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.

My name is Anatoly. I have graduated from Kiev National Agricultural University as a zoo engineer. Since 2015 I do my best in household reparations in the framework of the project “House Master”, fixing furniture and household devices. For me volunteering is an opportunity to help people in need, to realize myself, and also my abilities.

My name is Sergey Baranovsky. I graduated from comprehensive school No. 8 in Mogilev-Podolsky. I am volunteer of Hesed since 2004. Volunteering for me is one of my hobbies in off-duty time and a method of self-realization. I try to participate in all volunteer actions, and also I am all-time participant in the “House Master” project.

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 Julia and I am new to volunteering. When I was asked to join the Cookies of Kindness project and do a good deed, I was nervous at first, as I had never baked cookies before. But as soon as I came to the event, I was immediately greeted with a smile, and I felt comfortable. All the volunteers immediately got down to business and helped each other. The cookies turned out wonderful, they immediately packed them to deliver them whole to the front-line cities. If you need any more help, I'll be happy to help. Many thanks to Halom volume for the opportunity to be helpful!

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.

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!

Volunteering is my destiny, the call of the soul and a conscious path that can be called a lifestyle. There is always a lack of humanity in our society when you start looking around... I joined the team of volunteers out of an inner impulse, my love for children and needlework combined here. For me, knitting miniature clothes is a real pleasure. The project "Tangle of Kindness" in the Volunteer Community network was the starting point of my volunteer journey in this team. Then Tatyana Kuts, who led this project, offered me to become the project coordinator. Without hesitation, I agreed, because if an experienced person saw potential in me, then I can cope with all the tasks. Thus began a new chapter of my volunteering. Leading volunteers is a huge responsibility that requires many skills. But thanks to a team of welcoming volunteers, I adapted easily. I feel that I am on my way, and despite all the stereotypes, now all people are aware of how important volunteering is.

Hello! My name is Anastasiya Shmalko, and I live in the beautiful city of Kryvyi Rih. I am 16 years old and attend school. Although I had a strong desire to become a volunteer since the beginning of the full-scale war, my plans did not come to fruition immediately as I had to travel abroad.

Upon returning to Ukraine, I actively began searching for volunteer organizations and came across the "Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community." Inspired by their activities, I left my number, and the wonderful volunteer Maria Lomachevska contacted me. Her stories about the organization's work sparked a deep interest in me.

Currently, I am actively involved in the "Interaction" project and participate in collecting donations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine at various events. I plan to join even more projects and also intend to participate in the volunteer school.

The Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community is a wonderful organization with amazing people always ready to help and support. It is incredibly easy to find common ground with this wonderful team. I really want to continue developing in this volunteer organization and contribute my assistance and kindness. I wish you inspiration, a wealth of ideas, and new projects for the development of your volunteer activities. May your creativity and successes grow with each new project. I am immensely grateful for becoming a part of this team. I want to express gratitude to everyone actively participating in the lives of volunteers!