?? December 5 marks Volunteer Day in Russia. It’s a holiday celebrating people who help others selflessly.

It was officially established by President Vladimir Putin’s Executive Order in 2017 and was timed to coincide with the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development instituted by the UN General Assembly in 1985.

?? The number of volunteers in our country exceeds 20 million. They make a significant contribution to addressing social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges and help people in adversity. During the pandemic, volunteers worked in the red zones, delivered food and medicine, and supported medical workers. More than 600,000 volunteers are helping participants of the special military operation and their families.

Campaigns and events to promote the volunteer movement are taking place nationwide. The international #WeAreTogether civil society participation forum with over 20,000 participants from 40-plus countries stands out as one of the largest among them.

?? Speaking at an award ceremony before the winners of the #WeAreTogether International Prize on December 3, President Vladimir Putin had the following to say:

To help one’s neighbour, to support those in need - it runs in our blood. <...> Yours is a mission that truly knows no national borders. What unites us all is a single, simple thing: a kind heart.