Joy and Warmth for Thousands of Children
St. Nicholas Day 2022 became a bright event for more than a thousand children from Kyiv, Truskavets, and the Zhashkiv community. This project was a true example of a grassroots initiative, where the strength of the community, the support of partners, and the belief in good deeds came together to create the magic of childhood. Participants personally collected and sorted gifts, which were later presented to children in a festive atmosphere.
Organizers and Partners
The initiative was launched by the foundation and carried out in cooperation with volunteers, the clergy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and students of the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Variety and Circus Arts. This synergy made it possible to effectively organize the entire process — from coordinating the collection of gifts to packaging and delivery. The central venue was the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral — a sacred space that became a center of light, kindness, and unity around a common goal: bringing joy to children.
Partners Involved
- “Nebo” Publishing House
- “AVK” Food Company
- “BISCOTTI” Confectionery Company
- Dane Cake
- Ukrainsk Sport Forening
- Lego Foundation
- Orthodox Church of Ukraine
The celebration became possible thanks to these partners, who provided sweets, toys, and books for the gifts.
More than 1,000 children received presents and heartfelt emotions. It was a day when care, joy, and inspiration filled the hearts not only of the children but also of everyone involved in the initiative.
A Project Initiative That United People
St. Nicholas Day 2022 became an example of how the power of community, corporate responsibility, and the sincere dedication of volunteers can bring meaningful change to hundreds of children. The initiative was launched by the Magic Wings Foundation, which united people and organizations ready to take action. The main goal was not only to distribute gifts but also to create an atmosphere of care, joy, and support.
Amid the full-scale war and the general tension in society, every act of attention toward children carried special significance. This celebration did not involve a concert program or official ceremonies — the main action took place “behind the scenes,” in the form of work, communication, cooperation, and silence filled with meaning.
Volunteering as a Form of Care
The preparation hub was St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral — a place of spiritual strength that transformed into the logistical and moral center of the initiative. Volunteers gathered there to sort sweets, pack gifts, and prepare greeting cards. Students of the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Variety and Circus Arts and seminarians of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine actively joined this effort. Their support gave the process a special rhythm — warm, caring, and effortless.
Partnership That Creates Opportunities
The initiative was implemented in cooperation with reliable partners who provided the necessary materials for assembling the festive packages. Coordinated logistics, prompt delivery to communities, and sincere communication made it possible to reach more than a thousand children across different regions.
Working Together for Children’s Joy
The uniqueness of this project lies in its simplicity and sincerity. Each package was not just a set of sweets or toys but the result of collective effort filled with heart. Volunteers personally selected the contents of every gift, considering the age and needs of the children, and signed greeting cards with warm wishes. This process united people from different backgrounds — spiritual, artistic, community, and business.
Everyone who participated made a contribution to a greater cause: giving children not just a present but a sense of importance, attention, and hope. Such a format proved highly effective, as it brought together diverse resources — material, human, and moral — and directed them toward the common good.
Project Geography and Participants
- Kyiv (districts with vulnerable groups of children)
- Truskavets community
- Zhashkiv community
- More than 1,000 children
- Students, seminarians, and volunteers
- 7 partner organizations
Social Responsibility in Action
St. Nicholas Day 2022 became an example of genuine social interaction, where no participant remained on the sidelines. Creating gifts became a way to contribute to change even for those who lacked resources — all it took was time, sincerity, and the desire to help.
- “Nebo” Publishing House
- “AVK” Food Company
- “BISCOTTI” Confectionery Company
- Dane Cake
- Ukrainsk Sport Forening
- Lego Foundation
- Orthodox Church of Ukraine
The preparation and execution of the mission to liberated Bucha became an example of mobility, responsibility, and well-coordinated teamwork. Just a few hours after receiving confirmation of access to the city, the team assembled the cargo, prepared the necessary documentation, and organized the departure from Lviv.
Preparations for St. Nicholas Day 2022 lasted several weeks and focused on practical actions with real impact. The foundation’s team, together with partners, volunteers, students, and the clergy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, worked to ensure that every child received warmth, care, and attention. Every stage — from logistics to the distribution of gifts — was carefully planned, making it possible to reach more than 1,000 children in three communities.
A distinctive feature of the implementation was the fully volunteer-driven approach. Thanks to openness to cooperation, partner support, and the active involvement of young people, the process was transparent, efficient, and heartfelt — without unnecessary pomp, but with great sincerity.
- Project initiated by the foundation and logistics for gift distribution approved
- 7 partner organizations engaged in assembling festive sets
- Collection and packaging hub organized at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral
- Sorting and packaging of more than 1,000 gift sets completed
- Actively engaged volunteers, students, and seminarians in the preparation process
- Gifts were delivered to children in Kyiv, Truskavets, and the Zhashkiv community.
- Coordinated inter-community resource distribution through joint efforts
- Provided targeted support for children from vulnerable groups
- Created emotional support through personally signed greeting cards
- Recorded positive social feedback from parents, communities, and participants
St. Nicholas Day 2022 became a vivid example of how the combined efforts of communities, the clergy, youth, and socially responsible businesses can bring about real change. The project had a strong social, emotional, and educational impact. All the children who received gifts experienced care, attention, and joy — something especially important in times of instability and anxiety.
The initiative demonstrated that even without large-scale events or loud celebrations, it is possible to create a true holiday through sincerity, engagement, and heartfelt work. The implemented model of cooperation between the foundation, volunteers, students, and the church proved to be an effective platform for future charitable initiatives.
The project inspired communities to further activity, strengthened faith in the power of collective action, and built new horizontal connections between participants from different fields. More than 1,000 children received gifts, along with support that cannot be measured only in numbers.
This experience showed that scale is not always about external effect — true scale is reflected in the inner change of each person touched by the initiative. For some, it became their first experience of volunteering; for others, an answer to the need to be heard; and for many, a stimulus for new forms of participation in community life.
Key Project Outcomes:
- Reached more than 1,000 children across 3 communities
- Provided support to children from vulnerable social groups
- Engaged students and young clergy in volunteer activities
- Built partnerships with 7 business and cultural organizations
- Organized transparent and efficient delivery logistics
- Strengthened trust in the foundation as a coordinator of social initiatives
- Established a model of participation for future support projects
