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.

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!

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!

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!

Hello, my name is Zhanna Khomenko. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be helpful to those around me. My first step into volunteering was making toys for children. With them, I hoped to bring more joy and positive emotions into the lives of little ones. I believe that any help is important, but I wanted something more, something grand and significant, so I joined the volunteer center.

Since then, I have participated in various volunteer actions and projects. In addition to making toys, I cooked jam for charity fairs and also taught other volunteers how to crochet. I am glad that my skills have proved useful for our common cause. Moreover, I am ready to learn something new so that my abilities to help others expand.

Volunteering brings me immense pleasure. The only problem I encounter is a lack of time. But I try to structure my schedule to find time to help others, and most of the time I succeed.

Today, I can confidently say that volunteering has opened up new horizons for me. It also helps me feel useful to others. I am energized by their gratitude, and I want to do even more!

Hello, my name is Ivan Kostenko, and I am an experienced volunteer. I took my first steps in volunteering several years ago in my hometown. At the youth center, I helped organize events for young people and provided support to children from low-income families. This activity perfectly matched my inner desire to help other people.

Currently, I hold the position of co-coordinator of the "Good Life" project, which is aimed at conducting various socially significant events and implementing volunteer projects. Our assistance is directed towards children with special needs, veterans, youth facing difficult life conditions, and other categories of people in need of our support. We have a cohesive team, which helps us achieve impressive results in the field of volunteering.

Volunteering brings me immense pleasure, and the main problems we face are the lack of resources and time. However, they are quite solvable if we apply a creative approach and learn to plan effectively. For example, we successfully attract resources from external sources to implement our projects.

For me, "being a volunteer" means actively participating in society's life, helping it become better. At the same time, I myself have the opportunity to develop and reach new heights. I am glad to be among volunteers and grateful that I once chose this path!

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.

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.

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.

I am Mira and I am a DVC volunteer. Previously, I have already participated in volunteer events - mainly related to eco-activism and helping animals. But these were one-time attempts that did not bring the feeling of being involved in something big. In addition, I was limited by the need to look for "partners in good deeds", that is, people who would organize the process or support my initiative. I got all this in full in DVC! I ended up here along with other Hillel Dnepr activists on the initiative of the coordinator of the volunteer center. Here I am attracted by the regularity and high level of organization of assistance, the possibility of self-development and continuous learning in this area. A year later, I significantly improved my own communication skills and ability to navigate the terrain. And most importantly, I felt that my efforts bring real benefits to this world. You don’t always have time to get everywhere on time, you don’t always have a resource - but when you find time for kindness, it becomes a little better. Both for me and for those who come out to help. Thank you for the opportunity to take action!

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 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.