On International Volunteer Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with representatives of the Ukrainian volunteer movement and presented them with the Golden Heart presidential award.
“In my opinion, it is symbolic that it takes place on the eve of the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Because Ukrainian volunteers are actually another branch of our army, another strength of ours. Our guard of those who care. Our army of active Ukrainians,” the Head of State said in his speech.
He noted that the volunteer movement does not have its own uniform or official slogan, but there are two words that aptly describe it: "plus" and "thanks".
According to the President, the short word "plus" is followed by a lot of hard work.
“Everything you do to make this "plus" a reality in our lives. This one word can be followed by dozens of messages, hundreds of calls, thousands of kilometers of travel, hours and even days without sleep or rest,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
The second word – the word of gratitude to the volunteers – is simple yet priceless, the Head of State emphasized.
"Thank you" that millions of people you support say to you. "Thank you", which I always say to you from the bottom of my heart... I am very grateful to you for what you do every day, continuously, all the years, all this time. And to everyone who helps the Security and Defense Forces, everyone who defends the country. Helping on the frontline, helping on the ground. Helping IDPs, those who have lost their homes, those who have lost their jobs, those who have lost their loved ones, helping those released from captivity, those who need rehabilitation, prosthetics, psychological assistance. A lot of things that are very important. The elderly, our children. Overall – it's about helping Ukraine,” the President emphasized.
As Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out, millions of people are currently involved in the volunteer movement in Ukraine. This year, 40 citizens have been awarded the Golden Heart award.
“Those who are present here in person symbolize the nationwide volunteer fire. These are people from different regions of Ukraine who provide assistance in different areas, to different groups, to different people, to different categories of people. Together they represent a large movement of Ukrainians who do care. They epitomize all our volunteers, which are reliable allies for all of us – our people, our country. Its shoulder, backbone, driving force of compassion for the sake of life, for the sake of freedom. People with big hearts,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
Representatives of volunteer organizations and movements that contribute to the defense, security and interests of the state in connection with Russia's military aggression and overcoming its consequences were awarded the Golden Heart presidential award for their significant personal contribution to the provision of volunteer assistance and development of the volunteer movement.
Volunteers Alyona Ayvazian, Volodymyr Anisimov, David Dzhalahoniya, Andriy Zarichanskyi, Nataliya Kartasheva, Tata Kepler, Liudmyla Kucher, Vitaliy Lyfar, Maksym Mostovyi, Serhiy and Anastasiya Rybalchenko, Yuriy Tyra received awards from Volodymyr Zelenskyy. All of them provided assistance in supplying the frontline, evacuating the wounded, and providing humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons.
“As long as your hearts, volunteer hearts, and the spirit of help and support are beating, our people are fighting, Ukraine is fighting. Relentlessly. And we are fighting. Therefore, we will all definitely win,” the Head of State summarized and thanked everyone involved in volunteer activities in various areas.
