What day is it?

Day of good deeds is an international holiday that unites volunteers from more than 100 countries. The purpose of this day is to do good deeds for the benefit of the planet and other people. Every year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers put a fairly simple idea into practice. The idea that every person can do something good to change the world for the better. At the same time, this good cause may seem small compared to the needs of our planet, but it does not matter. Even one kind word spoken to a tired stranger can go a long way. The holiday falls on the second Sunday of April, this year it is April 10. Day of good deeds is a great opportunity to start the International April Volunteer Month.

How did the idea of ​​celebrating the Day of Good Deeds come about?

For the first time Day of good deeds noted in 2007 in Israel. This holiday was initiated by the famous Israeli philanthropist and businesswoman Shari Arison. And the founder of the holiday is the charitable non-profit organization “Ruaha Tova”. Translated from Hebrew, the expression “Ruaha Tova” means “Good Spirit”. This is the name of the leading volunteer organization in Israel, which unites people and other charitable movements aimed at charity.

Introducing Day of good deeds, Shari Arison said she believes in goodness. She is sure that when people have positive thoughts, speak positive words and do good, then good will spread throughout the world like rings that spread on the surface of water around a pebble thrown there. The Day of Good Deeds is a holiday of generous gifts that can be joined by both individuals and entire organizations.

The first celebration, in 2007, was attended by more than 7,000 people, mostly residents of Israel. And already four years later, the holiday acquired an international color, as participants from other countries of the world joined the celebration, including from the USA, Poland and Ukraine.

In 2012, the founders of the project turned to the television company MTV Global with a request to organize a 6-week campaign dedicated to good deeds. It was seen by 24 million viewers worldwide.

2017 marked the 10th anniversary of World Good Deeds Day. More than 2.5 million participants from more than 90 countries have joined it. The organizers of the holiday took care of holding mega-events in Italy, Portugal, Poland, Kenya and other countries participating in the celebration.

The day of good deeds in history

• 2007

  The Day of Good Deeds was celebrated for the first time in 2007 in Israel. This holiday was initiated by the famous Israeli philanthropist and businesswoman Shari Arison.
• 2017

  More than 2.5 million participants from more than 90 countries of the world joined the 10th anniversary of the Day of Good Deeds.

How is the Day of Good Deeds celebrated?

In 2011, international companies Shikun & Binui and Bank Hapoalim were among the leading international participants of Good Deeds Day outside of Israel. As of 2016, the holiday has been celebrated in 75 countries around the world and has partnered with major cities such as Rome, Sao Paulo, Kaohsiung and New York to create special events. Pope Francis supported the day in his Sunday sermon for the Day of Good Deeds in 2015 in Rome and extended his best wishes to groups of volunteers united in good deeds for the benefit of society.

In 2016 Day of good deeds cooperated with the volunteer center Atados, located in Brazil. Questions regarding the national activation of the holiday were considered. Together, they reached 10,000 volunteers across the country and 40 cities across Brazil, including major cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and São Paulo.

In Latin America, the main measures Day of good deeds took place in Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru and 16 other countries of the region.

In Taiwan, Good Deeds Day partnered with TAVE (Taiwan Association of Voluntary Efforts) to create large-scale city-wide events in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2016. Kaohsiung City also held city-wide events organized by the City Voluntary Services Association and other partner organizations.

One of the largest collaborations in Europe is SPES (Associazione Promozione e Solidarietà) in Italy, which organized a large Good Deeds Day event in Rome in 2016. Day of a good deed invited the runners of the Rome Marathon to join the “Fun Run” and attend the fair of non-profit organizations “Day of Good Deeds” at the finish line.

Day of good deeds in Ukraine

Citizens of Ukraine from the volunteer movement called Volunteer Community Ukraine (Union of Volunteers of Ukraine) joined the wonderful tradition of doing good deeds in 2019. It is worth saying that this volunteer organization does good deeds not only one day a year. Its centers are located throughout the territory of Ukraine in order to solve important social problems every day and help those who need urgent help.

The members of the Association call on every Ukrainian who wants positive changes in society to join their ranks and take direct part in doing everyday things that are difficult to overestimate.

When will we celebrate Day of good deeds?