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.

Здравствуйте, я Губко Евгения Викторовна, 58 лет, пенсионерка, на группе инвалидности. Лет 5-6 назад увидела по телевизору о "Клуб 28 петель" и вязала для недоношенных детей, и для детей в детские дома. В 2021 узнала о Вашей волонтерской работе и присоединилась к вязанию пледа 1000 сердец. Чужих детей и чужой беды не бывает. Творите добро.

My volunteer journey with the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community began in 2023 when my family and I were invited to participate in the "Day of Good Deeds" quest. Currently, I participate in our center's projects whenever possible, including "Interaction," "Sewing Studio," "Embroidered Fate or the Nation's Code," and "Charity Box."

Since childhood, my parents, through their example, instilled in me the awareness of the importance of selfless help to those in need. Their care for others has always been a reflection of the kind of person I want to be. Now, I feel a responsibility to my son. Watching my activities, I want him to understand the importance of doing good and helping others. Volunteering has become a way to teach my son important life values.

Mark Twain once said, "We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it — and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again, and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore." The belief that kindness can save our world inspires me every day. I believe that every act of kindness (even one that may seem insignificant at first) contributed to society helps change the world for the better.

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 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.

Я  родилась в еврейской семье 11 ноября 1947 года. Окончила Запорожский медицинский институт по специальности фармакология. В 2008 году попала в Хесед и с того момента стала волонтером.  Я — актриса волонтерской  театральной студии «Шпил», певица хора «Золотые голоса», принимаю активное участие в проекте «Помощь на дому» и являюсь волонтером программы «Открытый дом».  Мой  девиз: «Дарить тепло людям»! Друзья, помните, что так важно отдавать свое тепло и помощь нуждающимся людям!

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.

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.

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!

«Многие думают, что самая лучшая помощь – это деньги. Оглядываясь назад, я вижу, какому огромному количеству людей я оказала помощь, не осознавая это еще до того, как появилось волонтерское движение в Кривом Роге. Я откликалась на помощь бабушки-соседки: подстричь ее, принести продукты, купить лекарства, убрать в квартире, помочь разобраться в телефоне и научить ее пользоваться им, и многое другое. Бабушка радовалась, и не могла поверить, что такое возможно просто так (это вопрос о помощи без денег). Это было для меня обычным зовом «внутреннего голоса». Мне кажется, что в современном мире, где и так много поводов для расстройств, подарить повод для радости — большое счастье. За эти годы у меня есть опыт, которым я хочу делиться с другими, рассказать о нем тем, кто еще не понял, кто такой волонтер. Самое главное, что у меня есть ощущение того, что я занимаюсь действительно нужным делом».

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!

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.