My name is Vladimer Simachyov. I have got higher education, graduated from the Moscow university of arts as a graphic designer. At present is a sports journalist of Ukraine. I have a hobby — music and sport. Besides that I spend my free time on volunteering. Since 2015 I am engaged in household reparations in the framework of the project “House Master” in Kazatin. Volunteering for me is an opportunity to bring good and joy to people.

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!

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.

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.

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!

My name is Valentin. I was born in 1956. I’ve graduated from Moscow State Mining University, specialty: civil engineering. I became a volunteer in 2015 and participate in “Master at Home” project. I believe that a person of any age may become a volunteer. There are no limits. If you are looking for your way, for something what is really interesting for you, then volunteering is the best way to prove yourself and to realize your potential.

Hello, my name is Andrii Shchytskyi. I took my first steps in volunteering 5 years ago. In 2019, I became a volunteer at the Huliaypole Children's Boarding School. I enjoyed working with the kids, and I decided to continue developing in this direction. I wanted to make our world a better place and understood that I wanted and could be helpful.

I reached out to the local community and started participating in various events. At first, these were small initiatives, but gradually I became involved in volunteering activities, and larger projects began to trust me. Currently, I participate in several projects: "Hotline," "Mazal Tov," and also in the volunteer theater "Equal Opportunities." Each project is interesting in its own way, and they allow me to realize my potential in various aspects. Thanks to them, I grow and develop as a person.

I consider volunteering very beneficial from many perspectives. Firstly, it contributes to improving the life of our society as a whole. In addition, this activity allows developing the best human qualities, as well as realizing one's abilities. But I have noticed that constant assistance relaxes some people, and they forget that they are quite capable of solving some problems on their own. I believe that our task is also to give people not only "fish but also a fishing rod."

Thanks to volunteering, I feel useful to other people and seek new opportunities to help them, realizing my skills and talents. This helps me grow both professionally and personally.

Hello, my name is Oksana Yemilyantseva. I feel like volunteering is in my blood because I have always strived to help people. Initially, I independently sent aid to families in need, but then I realized I could do more and started participating in various volunteer activities at sports festivals, where I helped with organization and event management.

Becoming a volunteer at the center has allowed me to provide more extensive assistance to those in need alongside other volunteers. I help organize concerts for our beneficiaries and also volunteer at sports events. Each time, I acquire new skills and knowledge, expanding my experience and realizing my potential.

Despite sometimes feeling tired (after all, I'm only human), I can't say that my volunteer work comes with serious difficulties. I believe I can overcome any challenges because I have many like-minded individuals around me whose support I feel! The key is not to back down in the face of difficulties but to find ways to overcome them.

For me, volunteering is an opportunity to help others and to change our society for the better. I am confident that our unity in the desire to support people in difficult circumstances is the key to a happier society where everyone can receive what they need.

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!

Lyubov Shlapak is a pensioner, a client of the Kirovograd Regional Charity Community Jewish Centre «Hesed Shlomo» and a volunteer of the Kropyvnytskyi Volunteer Community since its inception. She is an active participant of the projects: “I’m a Volunteer!“, “Trips to Alexandria City“, “Bank of Goods“, and actions “Let’s Get a Schoolbag“, “Good Deeds Week“, “Let’s Make the Ukraine Clean“. Being a volunteer Lyubov holds master-classes on weaving for small children and master-classes on playing table tennis for teenagers and youth of “Hesed”, as she is a master of sports in table tennis. Lyubov is always ready to assist anybody in need. “In the Volunteer Centre I’ve met the like-minded people. We do a lot of good deeds together, giving the people we help our love and warmth of our hearts”, — Lyubov Shlapak says.

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.

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!