Two years ago, having overcome the first shock of the news of the russian attack, living in close proximity to the enemy and frequent shelling, members of the veteran organisation of the Ingulets GOK decided to act. Many years of work at the plant taught them to work well, and not to sit with their hands folded. They got together, discussed the problem and joined the noble cause of volunteering, and they are still doing this.
Every day, from morning until noon, tireless and caring people gather in the premises of the InGOK Veterans Council. Here, they weave, make, collect, discuss and prepare the aid for defenders. During a full-scale war, a new important area was added to the usual work of the organisation - volunteering. In addition, in order to keep in touch with each of the more than 4.5 thousand veterans of the enterprise, Council members learn about the urgent needs of the soldiers on the front line and try to help as much as possible. The chairman of the organisation, Nadiia Kovalenko, recalls how in the spring of 2022 they collected food, canned food and baked pies for the guys standing at checkpoints around the residential area of Ingulets. When, half a year later, the occupiers were pushed back, they started to collect packages for the front line.
“We learned from our friends and colleagues, whose relatives served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, what was needed first of all. When it was cold, they collected wool blankets. The guys cut them and put them in sleeping bags to keep them warm in the dugouts. Then there was a request for tapestry covers and thick "night" curtains. They were used at the front for a different purpose. They were used to make stretchers for transporting wounded people. We also sewed insoles for combat boots. Blanks were cut out of cardboard and then covered with either denim or fleece fabric. Our colleague from InGOK also delivered the aid to its destination in his car,” says Nadiia KOVALENKO.
Knitting another pair of socks at a table by the window Galyna Filimontseva. Prior to retirement, she worked as a technician in the motor transport shop. Now she is contributing to a good cause for our soldiers. She says that if she is not distracted, she can knit a pair in two days. The women first stock up on thread. For this purpose, they unravel old sweaters and roll yarn into balls. She says that her mind is filled with many thoughts while working. Mostly she imagines how her socks will keep someone's son, grandson, brother or father warm. And she is looking forward to your victory.
On a large table in the middle of the room, women are making trench candles. And they are doing this in their own way - from paraffin and cones. They came up with this idea by accident – once, they simply ran out of cardboard to fill the cans. It was then that Valentyna Kozariezova remembered how, when she was a child, her mother used to ask them to run and collect cones to ignite a large samovar. There are many fir trees in the Ingulets neighbourhood, in particular, near the Sports Palace, the health centre, and along Soniachna Street. The women gathered dense cones, dried them, filled cans with them tightly, and poured melted paraffin over them. They tested them and they turned out great. Such candles burn cleanly, produce a cosy crackling sound, and have a pleasant smell. The soldiers also appreciated the eco-candles, so the craftswomen are working on the next batch. They also involve the plant's youth in this activity.
Nadiia Kovalenko is showing stands with fresh photos. They depict everything the organisation does. This includes work at the humanitarian centres, choir performances, fundraising for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and shipping bags filled with plastic lids for making drones. The veteran workers support all initiatives to make it at least a little easier for soldiers to do their jobs. While packing the finished candles, Halyna Kosenko tells us that she sings in a choir. She says they are constantly working on adding new songs to their repertoire. Halyna admits that they have recently recorded a new song, which is bound to become a hit. It's about the victory, about the city, and filled with tears, humour, which is inherent to the Ukrainian spirit, and faith. She also prays for our guys every morning and evening and thanks them for having the opportunity to live her life.
The women shared that such almost daily communication and a sense of being needed greatly supports their morale. Natalia Sumskaya, a former employee of Ingulets GOK's crushing plant, other retired ladies eagerly come here just to chat. They feel comfortable together, as they have a shared past working at the plant, the same spirit and outlook on life nowadays, as well as a common belief in a bright future for Ukraine without war.
