Honoring Volunteers: A Celebration in Kyiv

On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, a ceremony honoring volunteers was held in the column hall of the Kyiv City State Administration, celebrating International Volunteer Day, observed on December 5.
Over 80 volunteers were invited, representing various fields and dedicating their time to help thousands of people in need. The event served as a moment to express gratitude to these active citizens for their dedicated service and contributions to the development of the Kyiv community.
Deputy Head of the Kyiv City Administration, Marina Honda, welcomed city activists on the occasion of International Volunteer Day and thanked them for their daily efforts, compassion, and willingness to assist others even in the toughest conditions. She emphasized that thanks to the volunteer community, Kyiv and the country have endured critical moments, supporting those who needed it most—from evacuating children with disabilities to delivering humanitarian aid and ongoing support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
«Volunteering is when you act not for reward, but for the sake of people. When you give your time and resources for others, and you do this out of the goodness of your heart.
Volunteers have become the force that prepared meals, transported people, and supported those in difficult life circumstances during the hardest days in both 2014 and 2022. Thanks to the unity of government, the public, and the volunteer movement, we stood strong then—and we continue to hold on today,» said Marina Honda.
She highlighted that the volunteer movement is a vital part of Ukrainian resilience: «I am confident that volunteering in Ukraine will only strengthen, as supporting one another is our national trait.»
Among the awardees was Svitlana Volynets from the NGO «Center for International Relations,» which has been assisting military personnel and civilians affected by Russian aggression since 2014. According to her, they received over a million tourniquets through partners in the USA. The organization has delivered over 100 tons of food for displaced persons, supports orphanages, and organizes events for children. Svitlana says she continues to volunteer as a calling of her heart: «It is a divine calling—to help people.»
Another honoree was Anatoliy Matviev, head of the NGO «Veterans of Military Counterintelligence of Ukraine.» The organization supports the Armed Forces and helps the families of military personnel and veterans. Volunteers also care for rehabilitation centers in Vorzel and surrounding areas, ensuring that people have access to necessary assistance close to home.
Matviev emphasized that the recognition from the city authorities is an important acknowledgment of the long-standing work of volunteers.