In late November, Dobriye serdtsa (“Kind Hearts”) Social Aid Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Murmansk, Northwest Russia, did the first activity of the Pomogi blizhnemu (“Help Your Neighbor!”) Project.
Its goal was to assemble and distribute food packages and personal hygiene articles to needy population. At the moment, the Foundation does its work in three locations: Murmansk, Lovozero, and Revda. The distribution of 106 packages involved more than 20 volunteers. In Murmansk Oblast, the aid was distributed based on lists provided by the Lutheran congregations in this region that cooperate with Dobriye serdtsa Foundation. In the city of Murmansk, the aid was provided based on lists provided by organizations with which the Foundation has developed a warm relationship: Special Education Boarding School #3 for blind and deaf students from across the region, War & Labor Veterans Council of Pervomayski District of Murmansk, War & Labor Veterans City Council, Red Cross Charitable Organization of Murmansk.Dobriye serdtsa received many thanks not just for its financial assistance, but also for its human concern and compassion so much needed by lonely old people, orphans, and many others. Thanks be to God, to the volunteers, to our friends from Russia and abroad who enabled the Foundation to organize this aid project!
The next step of the project is to hold a seminar on organizing social (diaconal) ministry. Tentative dates: December 5-6. So help us God!