On the eve of the Ukrainian Volunteer Day, Inna Chervinska, Professor of the Department of Primary Education and Educational Innovations of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Zoryana Leniv, Associate Professor of the Department of Speech Therapy and Innovative Technologies in Inclusion, and Lesya Korolyk-Boyko, a graduate of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, Ambassador of Ukrainian Culture and Art, Head of the International Organization “Progress of Myrrh-Bearing Women in the Diaspora”, as representatives of the university, joined the charity auction on the occasion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Day. The event was held at the Potocki Palace with the support of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, Mayor Ruslan Marcinkiv, and the Department of Education and Science of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.
Ukrainian volunteers are defenders who, from the first hours of the war, without any doubt or hesitation, stood up to defend their country and protect every Ukrainian. These are unique and desperate people – young guys and grey-haired veterans, with and without military experience, but with a big heart and even greater love for their land.
The main goal of the charity auction is to help the defenders. During the event, a charity fair and auction were held, featuring works by artists from the Carpathian region, children’s crafts, inventions, and patriotic souvenirs, some of which came from fighters on the front lines and others were created by children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Among many lots, Inna Chervinska bought the painting “Evening in London”. The lot was not chosen by chance: the painting is filled with symbolism and special meaning. The funds from its sale were used to purchase a thermal imager for the 1st Battalion of Unmanned Systems and other needs of our defenders.
The charity auction was not just an event — it was a moment of unity, warmth and a sincere desire to help our defenders. There were people nearby who thought alike, felt alike, and understood that good should not only be talked about, but also done. Among the Ukrainian volunteers who stood up to defend our country is Inna Chervinska’s brother, Vitaliy Bilak, commander of the UAV detachment of the 110th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who volunteered to go to the front from the first days of the war.
Zoryana Leniv, a researcher in the field of speech therapy, art therapy and inclusion, bought the painting “Spring of Victory”, created by her pupil Anna, to remind people of the spring revival of nature, people and, at the same time, Ukraine. Many more cute little things and souvenirs, made by children outside school, were won at the auction to purchase necessities for the defenders on the front line. Zoryana Pavlovna emphasised the importance of supporting the art initiatives of children who are doing their best to help the military today, and also spoke about the projects implemented by the International Institute of Inclusion in the field of art therapy for different segments of the population and cooperation with schools of the diaspora to maintain a connection with Ukrainian realities.
Lesya Korolyk-Boyko bought the painting “Taras Shevchenko” and noted that she will include it in the educational and artistic cycle “Willow for Shevchenko” and in many other projects dedicated to the Kobzar in Italy and other European countries. “For me,” Lesya Korolyk-Boyko noted, “Ukrainian Volunteer Day is a day of honouring people who give their strength and time every day for our country, support the army, help in the rear and inspire with their example. This is a day when it is worth not only saying words of gratitude, but also acting together.”
They say that goodness has amazing power. It multiplies when people unite for a common goal. This is how true support, true faith, and true hope are born. This power is especially tangible today, when each of us is trying to take even a small step for a great cause — helping Ukraine.
According to the results of the charity auction, almost 100,000 hryvnias were collected.
Special gratitude to the team of the Centre for Educational Innovations for the unanimity of thought, unity of action, and inspiration during the implementation of joint volunteer projects with Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University from the first days of the full-scale invasion. Because when we are together, when our hearts are open to help, then no difficulties will overcome us.
