FIREWOOD PROJECT
The “Firewood Project” brings warmth and hope to villages in the Kharkiv region, where residents need support to endure the winter. This year, volunteers once again traveled to Khotomlia, a village near Vovchansk, recently freed from occupation. Firewood is crucial for local residents and internally displaced people from Vovchansk, as they have lost their livelihoods, and the surrounding forests, filled with mines, are too dangerous for gathering wood independently. Thanks to the project, 77 households received warm assistance packages.
Among the recipients was an elderly pensioner who dedicated his life to work, but the war has taken his home and hope. He now lives his final days in a stranger’s home on a small pension barely enough for survival, left alone with his pain and the cold. Another story is that of a retired teacher who hasn’t received any government support. Her meager 3,200 UAH monthly pension can’t cover basic food, let alone firewood to heat her home. For her, the firewood delivered by volunteers is a true lifesaver.
The third story belongs to a woman and her brother. The woman lost her husband, has no children, and spent all her savings on a major surgery. Her brother supports her by taking on temporary local jobs, but the war has left him without a steady income or government assistance. The firewood for this family is a symbol of hope that they’ll endure another winter.
For these people, the “Firewood Project” is more than just help; it’s a small piece of warmth that every home in this distressed region lacks.
In SAMAR (ex.Novomoskovsk) district, the “Harmony” hostel has become a shelter for ninety people, mostly elderly, who came from Donetsk region, fleeing homes that were either destroyed or too dangerous to stay in. “Harmony“ has become their new home, offering peace and care, even if only temporarily.
Among the residents of this shelter are Natalia Anatoliivna and her husband Borys, who is disabled. They fled Bakhmut under fire with help from volunteers. Although the journey was extremely difficult, Natalia found the strength to save her family. After months sleeping on a school floor in Lviv, they now live in “Harmony“, where they enjoy warmth and security. Firewood brought by volunteers adds coziness that was missing from their lives.
Another resident, Anatolii Ivanovych from Sloviansk, had to flee his hometown after yet another shelling. At first, he went to Chernivtsi, but when he returned, the bombings hadn’t stopped. Seeing the fires and destruction around his home, his daughter advised him to move to “Harmony“. Here, he finds warmth, good food, and the chance to rest, expressing gratitude to the volunteers for the firewood that will help them survive the winter.
Valentyna Hryhorivna from Bakhmut shared that her apartment was destroyed. When bombings destroyed her building’s entrance, there were no intact apartments left. Her family was devastated, leaving her with only her grandson and nephew. “Harmony“ became her refuge, a place where, despite her losses, she can feel safe. She thanks the volunteers for the firewood, which will give her strength to endure the winter.
The “Step with Hope” team continues to support residents in Kherson, helping them face daily challenges in the difficult conditions of war. Last week, they provided twelve generators to bring light and warmth to homes, filled first-aid kits, supplied food and hygiene kits to people with limited mobility, and even fed a dog that settled near their team.
Particular attention was given to pest control, with the team conducting rat exterminations in nine buildings, including large basements serving as shelters. At residents’ requests, they also treated homes on nearby streets, leaving contacts for any further issues.
Volunteers also covered shattered windows with plastic sheeting following shelling. One apartment on Mykhailivska Street had windows through which cold and moisture entered, posing health risks to residents. Thanks to the team, these windows were quickly covered, allowing the residents to feel care and support.
“Step with Hope” doesn’t leave people alone in their hardships, offering a sense of security and the assurance that someone is always there to help.
The situation in Donbas is worsening. Volunteers have been delivering aid to Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk, and Mykolaivka, where residents live under constant shelling. Explosions are heard almost daily, especially in Kostiantynivka, where many people have been injured and are now receiving treatment. Those who could have already left, but most have nowhere to go—temporary shelters are full, and people are being evicted due to lack of space.
The road to Donbas is increasingly dangerous. The city of Pokrovsk is closed, and volunteers are forced to take detours to deliver humanitarian aid. Security checks at checkpoints, though necessary, slow down deliveries. People urgently need household items like soap, detergent, shampoo, and toothpaste, which have become essential due to scarce availability.
In Kostiantynivka, the enemy continues to strike residential buildings. Resident Nadiia Ivanivna thanks volunteers for the plastic sheeting covering her shattered apartment windows, which provides some warmth in her home. In Druzhkivka, volunteers organized a charity concert for soldiers, giving them first-aid kits and tourniquets. Children there also receive support through workshops, gifts, and «Samaritan’s Purse» sets, bringing some joy to their childhood overshadowed by war.
This aid gives residents of Donbas the sense that they haven’t been forgotten and that, despite all the difficulties, there are people nearby to offer a helping hand and bring a bit of warmth and care.
In Kharkiv region, the “Step with Hope” foundation provides assistance to those most in need: displaced people, pensioners, disabled individuals, large families, and low-income residents.
In Chuhuiv, 89-year-old Halyna Petrovna thanks the foundation for help that reassures her she’s not left alone in this challenging time. In Krasnohrad, pensioners and low-income residents also receive bread, although there’s never enough to meet everyone’s needs. Here lives Anatolii Pavlovych, a 71-year-old man caring for his disabled wife, for whom every loaf of bread is a gift. However, people also lack hygiene products and food.
In Pervomaiskyi, volunteers distributed over a hundred loaves of bread to the district, delivering it to those who can’t make it to distribution points on their own.
In Kharkiv and nearby villages, the situation worsens daily. Daily shelling targets residential buildings and stores, leaving people in constant stress. The deaths of five children this week during another attack will remain an enduring wound for the locals. The foundation organizes science shows for children to help them forget their fears, if only for a moment, and, together with volunteers, takes care of flower beds, creating small islands of peace in the shattered city.
Eighty-two-year-old Mykhailo, who recently underwent surgery, says the bread provided by the foundation helps him get through these challenging times. Fresh and warm, this bread is, for him, a symbol of care and support that is essential amidst constant anxiety and relentless danger.
The “Step with Hope” Foundation brings people a sense of not being left alone. This support nourishes not only the body but also the soul, giving strength to endure in these dark times.
In Dnipropetrovsk region, in the city of Nikopol, a team of volunteers works tirelessly to meet people’s daily needs. The severe shortage of drinking water forces residents to wait in long lines — the three-ton supply brought by volunteers is distributed within hours. Without this life-giving resource, life in Nikopol would be even harder.
The reality following the depletion of the Kakhovka Reservoir is captured in photographs: local rivers that were home to various bird and animal species have now turned into barren wastelands. Volunteers continue to support villages struggling for survival, bringing food that is always in short supply. Every food item in the package feels like a gift, and even the volunteers experience a childlike joy when they manage to deliver aid.
In the city of Marhanets, at the “Warm Home” children’s psychological rehabilitation center, those in need are received every Saturday. In just one day, 68 people received essential support, including water, food packages, eyeglasses, pasta, and treats for children — all tirelessly distributed to those in greatest need. Throughout the week, volunteers managed to assist around 500 individuals, each representing a unique story where every product and drop of water is a lifeline in this difficult time.
At the end of October 2024, trips between Pavlohrad and Dnipro were organized to collect and transport humanitarian aid. This aid was distributed to those most in need: displaced people, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. It included hygiene products, clothing, and treats for children, as well as items for adult programs. In total, 25 people and their families received support, with 93% being women and 7% men.
Among those who received help was Iryna from Kramatorsk. She arrived with her husband and two grown sons. The family, like many displaced people, had ongoing struggles with housing. Fortunately, the volunteers managed to help them find shelter abroad, and Iryna is deeply grateful for this support.
In another city, Pershotravensk, despite relative calm, explosions could still be heard. Many displaced people live there, in need of warm clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. Local retirees also express their gratitude for the foundation’s assistance.
A displaced woman from Sievierodonetsk shared her story: the war caught her, like many others, by surprise. At first, they tried to volunteer in the city, but after a shell exploded near their home, the family had to leave. Now their children live in Dnipro, and the elderly couple lives in Pershotravensk, where they are supported with housing payments, for which they are sincerely thankful.
In Synelnykove, the situation is calm. Volunteers distributed bread to displaced persons, people with disabilities, large families, retirees, and the needy. People thank the organizers and workers of the charitable foundation for their support and wish them health and peace.
At the end of October and early November, there were trips to SAMAR (ex.Novomoskovsk) and Mahdalynivka, where 80 food packages weighing a total of 1,600 kg, along with clothing and eyeglasses, were distributed. This assistance was directed towards supporting displaced people in collective housing facilities, including those in Cherkasske, Mahdalynivka, and surrounding areas.
On October 26, 2024, in the village of Sofiivka in the Kryvyi Rih district, volunteers distributed bread to the elderly who had taken refuge in the House of Mercy. Retirees from across the district expressed heartfelt gratitude to the “Step with Hope” Foundation for the care and support.
On the same day, bread was also given in Sofiivka to internally displaced citizens, most of whom are people with disabilities, retirees, and large families from Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions. In rural areas with limited employment opportunities, this assistance is particularly valuable.
On October 28, in the village of Radushne, near the front-line Berislav district, bread was also distributed to displaced people. Many of them have lost their homes and now live in temporary shelters. They need warm clothes, blankets, and heating fuel, as some homes lack stoves. The displaced people sincerely thank the foundation for their daily support.
In Kamianske district, from October 28 to November 3, 2024, a volunteer center was actively working to organize various support activities for displaced persons and local residents. Volunteers delivered bread throughout the city and distributed food packages. The women’s group “Berehynia” and the children’s center “Smile” held gatherings, and charitable lunches were organized for those in need. Additionally, volunteers provided laundry services, distributed clothing and glasses, and operated a massage center.
Zinaida, a 60-year-old resident of Bakhmut, shared that the war forced her to leave her hometown on May 23, 2022. Now renting an apartment in Kamianske, she is grateful to the “Step with Hope” Foundation for the eyeglasses they gifted her, which she truly loves.
Pavlina Serhiivna, a 71-year-old resident of Pokrovske, was forced to leave her home in September 2024 due to the danger. After staying with acquaintances for some time, they rented accommodation and have now received assistance from the foundation for the first time. Pavlina is sincerely thankful to the sponsors for the food packages, which have been a great support for them.
Another displaced person, 54-year-old Tetiana from Kupiansk, arrived in Kamianske in 2023 with her husband and dog. In mid-October, she returned to her hometown to see her apartment, but what she saw shocked her — the building was left without windows and doors. Tetiana is deeply grateful for the bread and support, which has been invaluable for many displaced people.
