ElitExpert continues the series of publications about humanitarian and volunteer organizations of the Odesa region. Today, our target is the "Kurs Odesa" Charitable Foundation.
The three founders of the fund are Victor Pantyuk, the owner of a wholesale company and the official representative of low-end brands in Ukraine, Valery Povolotskyi, an Odesa entrepreneur and public figure, as well as Tetyana Borysova, an assistant producer of online courses. They were unaware of each other's existence before the full-scale invasion began, but after February 24th, the desire to help the country's defenders brought them together, resulting in hundreds of good deeds.
As Viktor Pantyuk tells, immediately after the war began, he offered his help in the popular telegram channel "Odesa Course". They contacted him, began to support him in terms of information - everything went from there.
- Already on the second or third day of the war, we were approached by the military, whom I helped during the ATO. They needed walkie-talkies, and they were protecting one of the important strategic objects of the country. We helped, bought, gave them. And after that, requests from other servicemen with requests began to arrive en masse - that's how our organization appeared. Moreover, at first we were not even going to officially register - we thought we would help now, and then the war would soon end...
— In general, what is volunteering for you?
— Of course, this is an opportunity to help our native country and our people who are in trouble because of the war. Therefore, we are proud to be part of the only mechanism that works for Victory.
— Which direction of aid did your foundation choose for itself and why?
— Like many others, now, first of all, we help the military, defenders of our country, and in addition, displaced people who had to leave their homes and leave, as well as large families and pensioners. Mykolaiv is a separate destination. Together with the Mykolaiv military administration, we helped evacuate tens of thousands of people from Mykolaiv. In addition, there is now a catastrophic situation with drinking water, so we handed over 100 tons of water to the city's residents and provided more than 8000 people with food kits.
— Of course, you faced many problems and human troubles. What is the most difficult thing for you in this job?
— The most difficult thing is the moment when you have to refuse someone help due to a huge number of requests or a lack of resources. This is the worst.
— Are you aware of competition within the volunteer community and do you have partners among other foundations and organizations?
— Regarding competition in the volunteer environment, we really heard a lot about it, especially in relation to other regions, but fortunately, we have never encountered such a thing ourselves - and we really want to hope that we won't. As for our colleagues, we cooperate with the BaDed, Land of Mercy and Endless Possibilities Foundation. Good people.
— Why do you think people should help the volunteer movement now?
— Because Ukraine can defeat the enemy only with the full commitment of each of us. When the whole country and all Ukrainians will work for Victory as a single mechanism, when no one will think that the war is somewhere far away and will not affect us personally. Only then can we win. And I believe it.
Certificate:
The founders of the Charitable Fund are Viktor Anatoliyovych Pantyuk; Valery Olegovich Povolotskyi; Borysova Tetyana Oleksandrivna.
Contacts: Viktor 0949962260
https://www.instagram.com/valeryy_olegovich
https://www.instagram.com/pantuk_viktor
