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.

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!

My name is Yulia Marchenko and I live in the beautiful city of Krivoy Rog. My exciting journey as a volunteer at Volunteer Community started with an invitation from an extremely dedicated friend of mine. I was instantly fascinated by the Ball of Kindness project, given my ability to make incredible things out of wool. Together with the masters of this wonderful project, we started knitting kits for premature babies, providing them with comfort and love. Over time, I developed my own unique project called "The Ball of Creativity", which is really full of unforgettable moments. This project is able to reach a wide audience, from restless kids to wise old people. Together we are engaged in unusual creativity that helps us relax, find rest for our multifaceted mind and get unsurpassed pleasure from every step of the creative process.

Hello! My name is Anastasiya Shmalko, and I live in the beautiful city of Kryvyi Rih. I am 16 years old and attend school. Although I had a strong desire to become a volunteer since the beginning of the full-scale war, my plans did not come to fruition immediately as I had to travel abroad.

Upon returning to Ukraine, I actively began searching for volunteer organizations and came across the "Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community." Inspired by their activities, I left my number, and the wonderful volunteer Maria Lomachevska contacted me. Her stories about the organization's work sparked a deep interest in me.

Currently, I am actively involved in the "Interaction" project and participate in collecting donations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine at various events. I plan to join even more projects and also intend to participate in the volunteer school.

The Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community is a wonderful organization with amazing people always ready to help and support. It is incredibly easy to find common ground with this wonderful team. I really want to continue developing in this volunteer organization and contribute my assistance and kindness. I wish you inspiration, a wealth of ideas, and new projects for the development of your volunteer activities. May your creativity and successes grow with each new project. I am immensely grateful for becoming a part of this team. I want to express gratitude to everyone actively participating in the lives of volunteers!

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.

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!

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.

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.

My name is Valentina Petrovna Dolgoruk. I am a pensioner, and my hobbies are knitting and embroidery. One day, one of the volunteers invited me to join the "Pled Tysyacha Serdets" (Blanket of a Thousand Hearts) project. Since then, starting from April 2022, I began knitting blankets and sets for premature babies in maternity hospitals. During the winter, we also knitted socks for our soldiers. In this way, I became a part of the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community. We have many interesting projects, and I really enjoy doing good deeds together with our volunteers. I invite everyone who is willing to join our team and create goodness together with us!

My name is Yana, and I started volunteering in September 2022. What motivates me to volunteer? Firstly, I believe that through volunteering, we not only make the world a better place but also improve ourselves. During this time, I have changed for the better, and I don't want to stop here. Secondly, it's an unforgettable feeling when you know you are contributing to the development of your city and country and making a positive impact on society. Thirdly, I simply love it! Volunteering has become my lifestyle, and I don't want to change it. In the Sumy Volunteer Community, I found a true volunteer family where you not only help others but also receive support and motivation yourself. Now, volunteering is my personal contribution to our common victory so that I can later understand that I also made efforts toward it and was not indifferent to Ukraine's fate. When I do good deeds, I experience a very pleasant feeling that is impossible to describe in just one word. It's a mix of happiness, joy, satisfaction, inspiration, and pride... My heart warms when, after doing a good deed, I see a contented, well-fed cat or receive a smile and hear kind words. Back in my school years, I read a beautiful quote by Amelia Earhart, with which I completely agree: "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." I hope that through my good deeds, I inspire someone to do good, and together we create a global cycle of kindness in the world.

Hello!

My name is Svetlana Nikolaevna Chabanenko, and I have been living in the magical city of Kryvyi Rih since September 24, 1996. My life is filled with three important components: knitting, reading books, and my fluffy cats.

One day, a friend shared information with me about the "Yarn of Kindness" project, which had just started.

Thanks to this project, I was able to not only create beautiful sets for my granddaughter but also started knitting for granddaughters and prematurely born babies. This allowed me to provide them with warmth and comfort during this challenging period. My joy lies in the smiles of the mothers of these children, and it inspires me to continue my creative activities.

I wish the Volunteer Community network even more bright volunteers and grateful clients. Thank you for what you do!

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.