My name is Tatyana Erushevich. After moving to Kryvyi Rih in search of educational activities for my child, I came across a wonderful opportunity to become part of a volunteer family. It all started when I saw an announcement about volunteer opportunities in the "Volunteer Community" Facebook group. It immediately caught my attention, and I decided to give it a try. At first, I simply brought my child to various clubs, but one day, while observing the work of volunteers, their dedication, and enthusiasm, I felt a strong desire to contribute to this noble cause. Since then, I have become an active participant in all volunteer initiatives. I was fortunate to help generate ideas and coordinate the "Shabbat Guest" project, which involves baking challah and other dishes. This project is truly special because it brings people together and creates an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. My experience in volunteering has taught me that kindness and solidarity can change the world around us. I wish every volunteer in our network to continue illuminating hearts with the light of kindness, not only in our country but throughout the world. Let's work together to make our world a better place!

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!

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 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.

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.

In the summer of 2021, I came across a post about the “28 loops club”, which was looking for needlewomen. I have known how to knit since childhood, this is my meditation. I understand that I can help premature babies. I came to a meeting where I saw very beautiful, friendly, open girls, women who knit such cute things for children. They give the warmth of their hands and hearts through their blankets, socks, hats... And such a light came from them!!! I got involved from the first time we met. She flew on wings to each of our meetings! I was in a hurry to impose more, and tried to learn more from more experienced girls. This is how my volunteering began. Then came the terrible times, the war. We began to warm our warriors with knitted things. It was impossible to sleep for the first month of the war. At night, terrible thoughts invaded my head. So, in order not to fall into depression, I began to knit at night with prayers for victory. All the girls have become friends, like-minded people, we are so different, but now we all work with the same thoughts.

Our family has joined Halom back in 2016. At that time, my daughter Liza was still a teenager, and youth programs and Shabbat, which were held at the Center, immediately became a part of our lives. Lisa studied at the Halom Madrich school, participated in volunteer programs, began to organize various events and holidays on her own, and I volunteered with Halom Volume. All these years we grew up and studied together with Halom) Now Liza is already working in Halom, and although I am abroad, I do not lose touch with Halom and continue to volunteer through the Prosvita online project. Halom has become a Jewish family for us!

Hi all! my name is Alexander, I am a person who needs to be asked for help for a long time. If I have the opportunity, I will gladly help. Volunteering has become for me a kind of kindness mantra that helps me feel a little better. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, I had more free time, so I began to volunteer more and help others. I am well versed in technology and happy to help set up tablets, laptops and other gadgets. Unloading a car weighing 10 tons is also not a problem for me. Who, if not us, should help each other, especially when we have the time and desire to do so. For me, volunteering is a "karmic high", an opportunity to do good here and now!

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.

I — am an eyechar in the IT company, but according to my profession, I am a psychologist. I am a volunteer with an experience, many years I volunteer in various projects in our Lviv Jewish community. Very much I like to take part in a project of Art and workshop in the Shabbat’s Guest direction, where we produce shabbat attributes (glasses and candlesticks) from clay for elderly people. Also I take an active part in the project “ It is good to be healthy” , I try to lead a healthy lifestyle and by my personal example I show to the others as it is cool!

Hello, my name is Anait Yermenko. I became a volunteer because I enjoy helping other people. I have always helped my family and loved ones, but at a certain point, I wanted to do something more significant for our society. That's when I joined the volunteering activities of the Nikolaev "Noeck" and started participating in various projects.

Thanks to volunteering, I have become more responsible and creative, as we have to solve a variety of tasks. At the same time, I have gained a lot of new knowledge and skills, become more socially active, and met wonderful people. My life has become more interesting and fulfilling.

During my volunteering experience, I have participated in various projects and initiatives: "Family Volunteering," "Interaction," "Young Volunteer," "Lest We Forget," "Wings of Kindness," and many others. We helped children, elderly people, displaced persons, collected food packages, stationery, clothing, and other necessary items for those in need.

Despite the undeniable benefits of volunteering, there are also certain challenges. Often, we encounter negative psychological factors because we closely interact with our wards and take all their problems to heart. It can be difficult, but when you receive words of gratitude, it feels like you're growing wings behind your back! Any volunteer will confirm that there is nothing more motivating than seeing the happy eyes of the people you've helped! I am grateful to fate for opening the path of volunteering to me!

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!