Hello! My name is Marina. I am a volunteer with the Kryvyi Rih branch of the Volunteer Community. My son Kolya introduced me to the organization; he was the first in our family to start participating in good deeds. He used to say, "Mom, come with me. They need people there."

Now I can't imagine myself without our friendly volunteer family. No matter what we do, everyone is ready to help.

My main activity is in the "Interaction" project. I participate in baking bread, creating teas, and delicious treats for elderly people with limited mobility. Every time I visit our grandpas and grandmas, I do it with pleasure because I know how important it is for them. They miss the companionship we bring. When the doors open, I see eyes full of joy. Some can't even hold back tears of gratitude. Personally, I find our conversations very interesting. It's valuable feedback. Feeling needed is the most important thing in our work.

Participating in events like "Collect a Backpack for a Child," "Wings," various fundraising activities for our defenders and infants, helping in making trench candles for the soldiers, and many other activities are also crucial to me.

My husband has also joined volunteering, and now we have a shared family endeavor.

I invite everyone who cares to join us!

My name is Elena Romanenko, and my journey into volunteering began with making borscht. Eventually, I started receiving orders for pies for soldiers and servicemen in a hot spot. One day, someone brought paraffin, and I decided to use it to make trench candles. From that moment, my activities became more diverse and helpful. At some point, I saw an advertisement for the Volunteer School at the Charitable Foundation "Hesed Khana" and decided to enroll. I participated in various projects, starting with the "Day of Good Deeds," and currently, I am actively involved in the "Gratitude Marathon" project. Our group of volunteers collects items for military families and helps displaced people find clothing, shoes, kitchenware, bedding, and much more. Our efforts have not been in vain, and thanks to the "warm hands" effect and the support of our friends and acquaintances, we were able to collect an impressive number of items. These items were donated to families in difficult situations. My volunteer work not only benefits those in need but also fills my life with meaning and joy. I am convinced that collective efforts and kindness can make the world a better place.

My name is Alina and I am a volunteer. My involvement in the voluntary movement began back in 2019 with the very first "School of Volunteers". Then I realized that volunteering is not only about helping those who need it, but it also brings me emotional satisfaction. I started by helping children: holding numerous master classes and lectures, so that they could understand their emotions and mental state, not be afraid of them, as clarity brings relief. Currently, my volunteer work is connected with people of the golden age. I am very glad that I have the opportunity to help and bring joy to people during such a difficult time. Looking back at my experience, I believe that I am just starting my journey as a volunteer, and there are even bigger and better opportunities ahead of me.

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!

My name is Konstantin and I have been volunteering for over a year now. Perhaps I could have started doing this earlier, but before that I was not fully aware of what volunteering really means. It means a lot to me to be able to help in some way during these difficult times. Volunteering helped me get out of a personal crisis. You could say it was like a breath of fresh air for me. At first I thought that my contribution was just a drop in the ocean, but over time I realized that the sea is made up of many such drops and they come together into something powerful. A force that does good deeds and helps others. A long time ago I saw an interesting movie called "Payments Ahead". This tragic story intrigued me with its idea. The premise of the film is that at the lesson the children were given homework - to come up with a system that would help people improve their lives. A little boy came up with a system of helping people, which consisted in doing three good deeds for free for three different people, with one condition: each of these three people must do the same for three other strangers. I can establish a parallel with my feelings. I know that my personal contribution to volunteering will not be in vain. He will find his place in this world and will definitely come in handy for someone.

About 2 years ago, I realized that I couldn't just sit idly by. I started helping by collecting various items for protection and those in need. The initial steps into volunteering occurred when I joined the work of sewing warm insoles. It became evident to me that everyone can contribute with their skills.

However, true volunteering began with the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community at Hesed Hanna. I understood that I needed to do what I could to help the front and those in need. Knitting led me to "28 Loops," now "Ball of Good." Then came sorting humanitarian aid, assembling food kits, participating in the "Good Deeds" campaign, and, of course, the volunteer school. Hobbies can be turned into small projects. Since I enjoy baking, I gladly responded to coordinator Maria Lomachevskaya's proposal to conduct a baking workshop for challah. And now, we have a whole team of wonderful challah makers. The sewing workshop laid the foundation for our sewing studio. By helping others, I help myself stay true to who I am during difficult times, feeling needed and useful.

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.

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.

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 Olesya, and I'm a volunteer at DVC. What I like most is participating in events where we help animals. In the past, my parents and I often visited shelters, bringing food, medicines, and various treats for the animals. Now I do it with my friends who are also volunteers. We go to shelters outside the city, where there are many displaced animals, and we help with walking and cleaning.

I'm also often responsible for capturing a good story or taking photos at our volunteer events. It's really cool to have the opportunity to capture genuine emotions on camera.

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.

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!