My volunteering story began when I quit my job. To get rid of negative thoughts, I decided to go through the rest of the yarn. These leftovers were very small balls, and I was sorry to throw them away. I wanted to knit something small and cute. In search of schemes for crafts, I looked on the Internet and came across the "28 loops” club in Ukraine. I found a coordinator in the city of Krivoy Rog. At the moment, for almost 2 years I have been a volunteer in the "Tangle of Kindness" in the city of Krivoy Rog. I don’t know if it’s a lot or a little, but for me this time was full of new pleasant acquaintances and good deeds. I did not count how many hats, socks and plaid vests I knitted. But I always knitted with good wishes and a part of myself. Give away a particle of the kindness of your soul, and it will turn into a large one and unite with other particles. Thus, goodness and light will never disappear.

Hello, my name is Larisa Melnik. For as long as I can remember, I have always strived to help other people. If initially it was friends and acquaintances, then with the beginning of my volunteering activities, I realized that my care and support were needed by a much larger number of people. And this realization lifted me to a higher level, where I can be useful to our entire society.

Nowadays, I participate in various projects and initiatives organized by the volunteer center. Together with other volunteers, we successfully address the problems of our community members, providing support where it is needed. I enjoy changing people's lives for the better, but I also get the opportunity for self-realization and to unfold my talents. To me, no other activity is as creative as volunteering!

The only problem I face as a volunteer is the simple lack of time. We are all busy people with many different responsibilities, but I have made it a rule to allocate a certain number of hours for volunteering. For some people, this may seem impossible, but I know that the key is to plan your time wisely.

Volunteering brings me great joy and satisfaction. There is nothing more rewarding than realizing that you are helping people. These are not empty words; these are real deeds that you can feel and for which you are sincerely thanked. If you have never experienced anything like this, I encourage you to join us, the volunteers, and your life will become much richer and more interesting!

I am a director of the juridical and consulting firm “ Law Craft” . Very much I am interested in a question of social business, because I consider that it isn’t enough for our country of it. Also I am interested in all ecological LVC projects. We, volunteers, have created the Council of Volunteers at the Jewish community of Lviv which I was entrusted to lead. I like to help people around, especially it is pleasant when these people begin to help the 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.

Being a volunteer I really feel my personal development and rejoice in it. My name is Nikolay, and I have been doing volunteer work for about six months. It all started when I was asked to take part in an online event with DVC and Hillel. By participating in many interesting projects aimed at helping others and gaining new experiences, I really feel my personal development and enjoy it. Although I do not volunteer as often as I would like to, if I have the opportunity to take part in some project, then I am 90% ready to do it. I get the feeling that perhaps I made someone a day with this, because I have seen more than once in my own example that if you just bring a set to your grandmother or grandfather and spend some time with them, even just talking, leaving their house, one can notice a genuine smile on their face, which we all know - smile is infectious.

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.

My name is Inna Martemyanova. I work at the largest metallurgical plant in Europe, AMKR. I'm a loving wife, a mother to a wonderful daughter, and a volunteer. For me, volunteering is an opportunity to share my warmth with those who need it the most! That's why when I learned about the "Knitting of Kindness" project, I joined it without hesitation. The emotions I felt while creating my first "masterpiece" will stay with me for life. And knowing that this blanket will warm a little girl is just wonderful! Why do I volunteer? I can't speak for others, but for me, it's a kind of prevention against emotional burnout. Volunteering is not a hobby; it's something I can't imagine my life without anymore! From my work, I derive immense pleasure because I know it benefits other people. Volunteering is an investment of your time, effort, and talent. Yes, you invest the most precious thing a person has—their time—but in return, you gain experience, skills, new friends, and a wealth of emotions. By helping others, you become a better person! That's why I believe that each of us can become a volunteer. The main requirement is the desire! The desire to help people and make our world a better place!

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 journey to volunteering began for mercenary reasons. I have a son with a disability, and I realized that he needed more social interaction and variety in life. Therefore, I willingly responded to the invitation of our leader to participate in an event for children from orphanages and people with disabilities. So, in 2012, my son and I joined the ranks of volunteers. The first step was assisting in organizing the celebration of Odessa City Day.

Volunteering literally turned our perceptions of life upside down. I understood that I enjoyed helping people, and it brought me immense pleasure. My son experienced the same emotions, and we decided to dedicate all our free time to volunteering.

Now I am actively engaged in volunteering. I have participated in an educational Ukrainian marathon for people with mental disabilities, the "Living Healthy" campaign for visually impaired children, cemetery clean-up, assistance in organizing open days, and the "Women's Club."

The main challenge for me is a lack of time. However, it is more than compensated for by the positive emotions I gain from volunteering. I make new connections, acquire new knowledge, and discover new facets of my personality. All of this helps me in my professional and personal life! I have realized that by giving a part of myself to others, I receive so much more in return!

Hello, my name is Sergey Mitikov. Like many volunteers, it was the desire to help those in difficult situations that brought me to the center. The first step was participating in a social volunteering campaign. Although I ended up there by chance, it became clear to me - this is what I have been looking for!

Becoming a volunteer at the center, I participated in various events, one of which was the "Hanukkah Marathon." Within the framework of this project, various actions were held to coincide with the holiday. We tried to create a warm atmosphere for our wards and provided support to those in need.

Another aspect of volunteering for me is helping our smaller brothers. Without our support, they are completely defenseless, and this imposes a great responsibility on us. I believe that one of the manifestations of humanity is love for animals. And volunteering helps to realize it to the fullest!

Volunteering brings me great pleasure. Of course, there are certain difficulties, but together we always find ways to overcome any obstacles. Volunteering helps me gain valuable experience, meet interesting people, and at the same time feel that your help is important and you are truly making the world a better place!

My name is Oksana, and I work at the aviation meteorological station in Kryvyi Rih. My hobby is knitting and embroidery. One day, my friend told me about a club that creates items for prematurely born babies. Since I have knitting skills and love doing it, I decided to join this good cause. So, for the past 3 years, I have been a part of the "Thread of Good" in the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community.

I wish your team a constant influx of new volunteers who bring a fresh perspective and enthusiasm.

May your inspiration know no bounds and persistently support you on the path to achieving your goals.

May each of your creative successes become a new stage of growth with every project you undertake.

I wish you many new projects that will not only expand your activities but also have a positive impact on the community you support.

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.