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.

My name is Katya, and I have been a volunteer for about a year.

It's important to me because I want to feel that I contribute to the well-being of people who need help or attention. I also simply enjoy participating in social projects, and I really want to dedicate even more time to volunteering—interacting with the people we visit with Shabbat kits or engaging with children who are displaced and organizing various activities for them.

It charges me with energy and inspires me to live.

I am a teacher-volunteer with a big work experience. I am not indifferent to everything that occurs in Jewish community and not only there. I managed to start many projects, among which there are Sunday school that became one of the best Sunday schools in Ukraine and the first Jewish kindergarten “Prakhim” at the municipal pre-school institution №81. This project was launched with incredible difficulties and it has been working since 2000. I have worked it up and successfully presented it when I studied at the Jerusalem University according to the Melton program for teachers of the Jewish education.I have also initiated and organized such projects as:

1) Publication of the book-almanac «Shofar» about the history of Jews living in the Cherkassy region (assistance in preparation and publication);

2) Organization of a traveling exhibition «Anne Frank. History Lesson» and holding the city competition of compositions in this subject;

3) Help in perpetuation of the Righteous gentile A. Shulezhko (organization of anniversary actions in the city, edition of the book «Pam’yaty Slavetnoy Zhemlyachky», participation and help in installation of a memorial board in the city);

4) Publication of methodical works and scenarios of the Jewish holidays (“New Jewish School” Publishing house, St. Petersburg).

5) Writing poems and songs for children, poetic translations from Hebrew and Yiddish for vocal collectives.

The Jewish period of my life began in 1993 when I returned to my hometown from Poltava. In 1994 my volunteer activity in the Jewish community had started. Doing good deeds, having satisfaction from the fact that you help somebody, and a pleasure from self-realization is what unites all volunteers! I still continue my volunteer activity in the community. I am the Head of Literary club in Hesed and every month, even several times a month, hold thematic meetings with the participants of the Jewish revival programs. I have brought up many generations of the Jewish children. Together with the knowledge of the Jewish culture I strive to foster the desire to do good.

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.

Hello, my name is Olesya, and I'm a volunteer at DVC. What I like most is participating in events where we help animals. In the past, my parents and I often visited shelters, bringing food, medicines, and various treats for the animals. Now I do it with my friends who are also volunteers. We go to shelters outside the city, where there are many displaced animals, and we help with walking and cleaning.

I'm also often responsible for capturing a good story or taking photos at our volunteer events. It's really cool to have the opportunity to capture genuine emotions on camera.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

For me, volunteering is an opportunity to help those in need and make positive changes in the surrounding environment. My journey into volunteering began during the time when the war started in Ukraine. I couldn't stand aside and immediately joined the volunteer movement.

All my efforts are directed towards projects within the Volunteer Community, where I serve as a coordinator. We provide assistance to those in need and contribute to improving the lives of others.

Despite certain challenges, volunteering gives me new knowledge, new connections, and brings great satisfaction from the fact that I can help others and make the world a better place.