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.

My name is Lyubov, I started my volunteer journey four years ago. It was then that I first heard about the volunteer center at one of the charity events in Sumy. Having joined the vocal and theater group "Aviv", I began to actively participate in concerts and various volunteer events. This is how my volunteer work began. Subsequently, I learned that there are many different, interesting projects here. I was offered to try myself as a volunteer animator. I liked this lesson very much, I didn’t even expect from myself that volunteering can be so fun, varied and creative. The feeling that there is meaning in life, there is truth that there is something like a soul that requires the creation of something beautiful in the world - this is what encourages me to volunteer. After all, in fact, it's just "unrealistic" that we can make a contribution, really significant, and make this world a better place, improve someone's mood, and therefore health and life, more beautiful! We can influence the world! Add light to it! It also illuminates me from the inside. In my free time, going to play with children is great not only for them, but also for me.

My name is Julia and I am new to volunteering. When I was asked to join the Cookies of Kindness project and do a good deed, I was nervous at first, as I had never baked cookies before. But as soon as I came to the event, I was immediately greeted with a smile, and I felt comfortable. All the volunteers immediately got down to business and helped each other. The cookies turned out wonderful, they immediately packed them to deliver them whole to the front-line cities. If you need any more help, I'll be happy to help. Many thanks to Halom volume for the opportunity to be helpful!

My name is Alina and I am a volunteer. My involvement in the voluntary movement began back in 2019 with the very first "School of Volunteers". Then I realized that volunteering is not only about helping those who need it, but it also brings me emotional satisfaction. I started by helping children: holding numerous master classes and lectures, so that they could understand their emotions and mental state, not be afraid of them, as clarity brings relief. Currently, my volunteer work is connected with people of the golden age. I am very glad that I have the opportunity to help and bring joy to people during such a difficult time. Looking back at my experience, I believe that I am just starting my journey as a volunteer, and there are even bigger and better opportunities ahead of me.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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 Vladislav and I want to tell you about my favorite pastime - volunteering. For me, this is not just a process, but a way of life that helps me make the world a better place. My friends also volunteer with me, which makes me very happy, as the process itself becomes more entertaining. We have many funny stories together that we often like to remember, as well as we take care of several grandmothers whom we regularly help. For me, volunteering is not only an opportunity to help others, but also a chance for personal development. This is the ability to realize my responsibility to society and understand that my actions can make the world a better place. When I do good deeds, I feel that there is a kind-hearted message from me to the people who need help. This way I spend a few hours a week that later aree transformed into someone's smile or just comfort and safety and I think that it's really worth it, at least from my point of view.

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!

Hi all! My name is Alexandra. Usually parents bring their kids somewhere, but in 2018 the kids took me to Halom. Since then, Halom has become a living center of leisure, communication and learning about traditions and history for three generations of our family. My first volunteer project "Children's Noise Orchestra" won the Journey to Eden family shabbaton competition and successfully lasted one year as part of Yahadu's Sunday classes. It was fun, loud and uplifting. I also looked for other ways of my implementation. And suddenly I discovered another type of volunteering: helping other people to join the good deeds of society. I believe that the soul is a well, and the more often we draw from it, the faster it will be filled with fresh waters of politeness, mercy and kindness.

Hello! My name is Oleg. I got acquainted with the volunteer movement at one of the city events. Volunteers then organized a children’s entertainment location, with interesting master classes. And then I thought, «I, too, can teach good children!». My passion is pottery. And it’s these skills that I now pass to children. I participate in all activities where you can place a potter’s wheel and share your skills. I also take part in environmental actions. And I am a volunteer for helping elderly people — to rearrange furniture, make repairs, fix furniture. I like helping! I feel right!

My name is Anatoly. I have graduated from Kiev National Agricultural University as a zoo engineer. Since 2015 I do my best in household reparations in the framework of the project “House Master”, fixing furniture and household devices. For me volunteering is an opportunity to help people in need, to realize myself, and also my abilities.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.