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!

Hello, my name is Dasha, I'm 19 years old. I completed courses in hairdressing. Volunteering has become an important part of my life thanks to the coordinator of the Volunteer Center. She offered me to participate in the "Blanket of a Thousand Hearts" project. At first, we started knitting squares at home, and then I became an active member of the Krivoy Rog Volunteer Community. My first experience included participating in the "Day of Good Deeds," where I helped other hairdressers braid girls' hair. I am very grateful to the organizers for the opportunity to take part in this initiative. Now I eagerly come to the volunteer center because each time there is an opportunity to do good deeds here. We bake challah, visit grandmas and grandpas, and prepare delicious treats to help our children. Recently, we donated equipment for premature babies to the maternity ward, and it was an incredible experience. Volunteering brings me joy and satisfaction from the opportunity to help those in need. I want to wish all of us inspiration, new amazing projects, positivity, and indescribable emotions! Thank you for doing good deeds and providing the opportunity to join you in this wonderful world of volunteering!

Probably, my parents, who have been resting in a better place for almost 45 years now, led me to volunteering. They passed away very young, 8 months apart, one after the other. Although they were not volunteers in the modern sense, they are remembered with respect and kind words are still said about them. Over time, their actions and actions become more and more significant. When my sister and I were little, they brought a white sheet and a slide projector out the door, gathered all the children, removed chairs from all sides, and dad showed filmstrips, and mom read texts. When we started school, there were no best friends for our classmates to give advice or help organize and resolve disputes. They worked at one job, but had different positions - mom in the personnel department, and dad was the deputy director for labor protection. I already learned about how they helped the employees from the children and grandchildren of the employees, who still remember their good deeds. I can talk a lot about them, but it's better to go and see with your own eyes.

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.

I, Galina Vasilievna Chernykh, worked as an economist, and now I am a retiree. Throughout my life, I have been involved in weaving, embroidery, and sewing. When I learned about the "28 петель" (28 Loops) club, I enthusiastically started knitting items for premature babies. Later, we wove small blankets for a record that was included in the "Records of Ukraine" book, and then I began knitting socks for our defenders.

After some time, we started sewing adaptive underwear, shoppers, bags, and repairing clothes for "Hesed Hana" clients.

I wish the Volunteer Community team boundless motivation and enthusiasm in our noble cause. May each created project bring joy and support to those we care about.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!