Penza, 5 December 2014. PenzaNews. A solemn event dedicated to the International Volunteers Day took place in the Penza youth center on Friday, December 5.

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The first one to address the gathering was Lyubov Grunina, main expert of the department of education, youth policy and children’s rights of the regional Ministry of Education.

She expressed her gratitude to the people of the region who work free of charge for the benefit of others.

“There are volunteers who save people and donate blood, clean our river and lake banks of rubbis, and come to the children’s homes to help. There are volunteers who work at sport events of different levels, and among them there are many Penza children. Most of the volunteers do not expect anything in return, though they spend their time and health, put a lot of effort. I believe that for them the opportunity to volunteer and help others is the essence of life,” she said.

In her turn, Maria Gavryushina, director of multifunctional youth center of the Penza region, noted that the volunteer movement has grown stronger and got new incentives for development in recent years.

The volunteers were also addressed by Igor Lukashin, Olympic champion, Russian Honored Master of Sports in diving.

He thanked the volunteers who worked during the Sochi Olympic Games, the Kazan Universiade and major competitions in Penza.

After that, the most active regional volunteers were awarded letters of thanks and gifts. Altogether, 40 young people and 30 veterans of the volunteer movement received awards.

The event ended with a concert.