5 December – International Volunteer Day Volunteering – is a unique phenomenon that helps bring people together to do good and help. Volunteers carry out their work without financial compensation, in their own free and convenient time.
The Charitable Foundation "Little Bee" over the years of its operation, it has carried out many charitable projects, and all of these events were made possible, in large part, thanks to the help and support of volunteers. At the charity festival 10 "Dari Dobro" volunteers work as counselors, entertainers, decorators, and photographers. Even the artists who come to the festival perform for free, and this can also be considered volunteer work. We would like to tell you about some of our helpers.
Alexander Kolesnichenko has been collaborating with the foundation "Little Bee" since its founding, for 10 years.
– We met when the foundation was just getting off the ground, – Alexander recalls. – I worked for a company organizing events. For children undergoing treatment, a holiday – is a time when each of them can forget, at least for a little while, about unpleasant procedures and poor health. This is what brought us together. I learned to hope and believe that what I do helps people recover, gives them strength and confidence, and supports them in difficult times. My work helps save children's lives, and therefore entire worlds. None of us knows what these children will become when they grow up – outstanding scientists, talented architects, or simply trolleybus drivers. The main thing – is that they will carry a piece of the soul of the person who once helped them throughout their lives. And may the soul of every volunteer be warmed by the words of gratitude from the parents of those children who were able to become victors in the fight against disease.
Svetlana Melnik with her sons Matvey and Demyan – longtime friends of the foundation.
– Our family became acquainted with the Charity Foundation "Little Bee" thanks to the magazine, – Svetlana says. – We solved puzzles and crosswords, sent in our answers, and received wonderful prizes. And at that stage of our lives, I thought that such help and our participation were enough. One day, from "Pchelka" I received an invitation to participate in the autumn fair (to bake something or bring a book). It turned out – you can help in many ways, and it's not scary... After this event, I signed up as a volunteer for the foundation and began receiving more invitations to participate in various projects. My eldest son, Matvey, had already signed up with me for the New Year's gift collection drive for children from orphanages. I handed out brochures and explained the campaign's terms. He enjoyed participating in this charitable cause. And in 2017, three of us came to the festival – "Give Good" (Mom 2016 – as a counselor, and Matvey and Demyan –as volunteers). Despite their young age, the boys tried to help with everything they were asked to do. The three days of the festival flew by in the blink of an eye and brought a huge amount of emotion... Meeting the kids who had overcome terrible illnesses only strengthened our desire to help children recover. We've been volunteering for the foundation for over three years now, trying to be helpful as much as we can.
Matvey, Svetlana's eldest son, shared his impressions:
– At the festival "Give Good" I met the children who won, who, like me, love walking, drawing, and playing computer games, but are forced to undergo serious treatments and examinations.… They don't give up; they fight. And since we can, we must help them. Some of the foundation's adult wards become volunteers. They know how important and necessary support and any kind of help is.
– I enjoy participating in the foundation's various events, – says Demyan, Matvey's brother, – they are always cheerful and vibrant.… By helping others, we also get positive emotions and meet new people.…
The Lebedenko-Osman family has also helped organize the foundation's events for many years.
– We have been friends with "Pchelka" for a very, very long time! – says Oksana Lebedenko, mother of two sons. – Since 2006 we've been readers of the magazine; you could say we grew up with it! Then we had to become the foundation's wards, and then volunteers. You could say we've gone through all the stages – from reader to volunteer. I'm glad I can be useful to society and grateful to the foundation "Little Bee"for being able to do good deeds with its help.
Alexander Meloyan – Volunteer photographer:
– For me, volunteering is, first and foremost, creating and helping children with what I can and know. Unfortunately, I can't devote more time to this than I'd like, but I'm definitely putting everything aside to attend the festival in August. "Give Kindness". I get a boost of positive energy from the kids, looking at their happy and joyful faces when we play games or participate in competitions and workshops. At times like these, I realize: giving kindness – is easy!
As you've noticed, you can volunteer at any age. Of course, if you're a child, you can only do so with parental consent and with adults.
Volunteering helps you find your path in life, choose a profession, and learn something new. You can also make many new friends not only in Ukraine but also abroad.
Join our events! We'd love to meet you and help.
Our website: https://www.pchelka.ua/help/stat-volonterom; phone: 798-39-40.
