The spirit of philanthropy and voluntarism touches even young children in the former Soviet Union (FSU). This was poignantly illustrated when news of 22 children in a small orphanage in Belarus reached young JCC program participants at the Minsk Jewish Campus. The Minsk children mobilized, creating the city's first Jewish children's volunteer group. Donations of all kinds: clothing, toys and books soon poured in. "We call it 'Children to Children'," said ten-year-old Sonya.

Sonya brought some clothes and a pile of books after hearing that the orphans, who are not Jewish, were lacking in these supplies. Sonya was not alone in her response. Dozens of children of all ages brought items from their homes to share with the orphans.

"I saw this as an opportunity to relay an important Jewish message, especially to children," says Sofia, director of JCC Emunah. "I told the children that there are other children who have great needs, and it is up to the Jewish community to show non-Jewish children that, in a world of indifference, there are still people who care."

Sofia was not surprised by the philanthropic response of the children. "We had already begun to collect used clothing and toys as hand-me-downs to distribute within the Jewish community. That was a multi-generational effort where grandparents, parents and children pitched in. "It is traditional for Jews to help those who are in need," she continued. "We are doing this for members of our own community and we must also do it for others as well. This is an effort where children can make a difference, and change a difficult situation."

In fact, the connection with the small Belarus orphanage came about as part of an effort to confront a past that cannot be changed. The orphanage is not far from a site where 60 Jewish families were murdered during World War II. A group of volunteers and employees from a Minsk Hesed visited the newly discovered extermination site to assist in its restoration.

During that visit, local authorities informed Hesed volunteers about the orphan's situation. The Hesed staff recommended that the orphanage director be in touch with the Minsk Jewish community and the children's volunteer group was soon formed.

The children's endeavors have sparked other philanthropic efforts as well: the Head of the Union of Belarussian Jewish Communities, Leonid Mendelevich Levin, has pledged school supplies in advance of the new school year. It is the efforts of the children however that are especially noteworthy. "The children do everything. They sort, they pack and they coordinate."

On May 11, 2003, the children also delivered. The orphanage director traveled to the Minsk Jewish Campus to receive the collected items. She was overwhelmed by the amount received, "This is vital aid. The Belarussian government provides staff salaries and food but the orphans lack so much. They are lonely, too."

The children do not intend to stop with toys, books and clothing. "We would like to hold a concert, and maybe have a party to start off the school year," Sonya added excitedly.