At the beginning of December, Ukraine celebrates a special day – Volunteer Day. Volunteers are people who think a lot about others, who see needs and respond to them, even when it seems almost impossible. Somehow, they manage to do it. These are the people who think very little about themselves. Over the past three years, a lot has been done in Ukraine through the hands of volunteers.
Thus, the Raimer Center team, in cooperation with the Pereval Charitable Foundation and the Good Place NGO, organized a large-scale event that gathered over 100 Zaporizhzhia volunteers. These are people who are always available, ready to respond to needs at any moment. Their phones never stop ringing. But today, they were asked to put aside their devices for two hours and allow others to take care of them.
During the event, the volunteers heard many words of gratitude, appreciation, and support. A group of children sang songs that inspired them to continue their chosen path. These songs touched the hearts of everyone present.
A special guest of the event was a veteran who had been released from captivity just a few months ago. He shared a powerful testimony of how God gave him the strength to endure. He recounted numerous situations where, in inhumane conditions, amidst torture and attempts to break his spirit, he could see God’s presence beside him. His words stirred mixed emotions in the volunteers’ hearts: sadness, anger, compassion, admiration, and a renewed determination to stand strong and continue the fight despite fears and moments of doubt.
To encourage the volunteers, they were given Bibles with a message from the Book of Psalms: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord!” They also received copies of Godly Stories, a collection of short but inspiring testimonies about God. Many of those attending were not believers, so this was also a testimony to them that true strength comes from the Lord and that He will help Ukraine endure these difficult times.
Each volunteer received a certificate of appreciation. After all, thanks to people like them, the country is gradually moving towards a shared victory. But who should sign this certificate? Every volunteer! Only a volunteer can truly understand another volunteer, fully appreciate the efforts, work, and sacrifices made by ordinary people for the benefit of others. So, the participants signed the certificates for each other.
This is not the end. After this short break, every volunteer returned to their mission: serving children, the homeless, and the elderly, feeding the hungry, meeting urgent needs, evacuating civilians from dangerous areas, and distributing aid. But even volunteers need prayers, support, and to be remembered.
