The kind traditions of volunteerism have been supported at our center for many years. Community members in need receive both material and emotional support from volunteers. One area of volunteer activity is providing food for socially vulnerable and elderly clients. On the eve of Shabbat, our volunteer Larisa Shapovalova bakes challahs, which are then delivered by teens from the AJT club to 15 Hesed clients. This year, ahead of the long-awaited Pesach holiday, volunteers also delivered matzah to 21 Hesed clients and helped them with household tasks.

As part of food security efforts, elderly and low-income community members receive food packages containing all the essentials for a healthy diet. In addition to food, volunteers conduct clothing and item drives through the “Second Hands” project to meet the needs of their clients. Among the beneficiaries of material and food assistance is the large Mikhailenko family from the suburbs of Pavlodar with 5 children (aged from 1 to 10 years old). Volunteers collected clothing and school supplies for them, as well as helped dozens of lonely individuals and low-income families.

Support for those in need is not limited to covering basic food and comfort needs. Great attention is also given to moral support. To this end, our volunteers regularly call Hesed clients to chat, congratulate them on Jewish holidays or birthdays, and find out what kind of help they may need. Additionally, volunteers organize community events designed to strengthen social bonds and improve the quality of life of our clients.

On April 13, we celebrated Pesach together with all community members in the form of a Passover Seder. All attendees were divided into 4 teams. The teens prepared an engaging program: guests were asked to answer quiz questions, list the 10 plagues in the correct order, and find the Afikoman. Everyone had a great time, and the holiday turned out to be very joyful and lively.

We thank our volunteers for their active participation in community life and their dedication to making the world a better place!