When I visit primary school classrooms each year for the Junior Achievement programme “Our Community”, I always begin with a simple question: “What is volunteering?” The children almost always look back at me with wide, curious eyes. I can see them searching for meaning as they process this new word. That is when I explain that volunteering comes from the word “I want”. I want to be here. I want to offer. I want to dedicate my time.

And that is the absolute truth. All of us perform small or greater acts of kindness because we choose to, because we want to. And the feeling that comes from giving is unlike any other. You feel that you are part of something bigger than yourself, that you are adding your own small stone to something better—whatever that may be.

This year, I participated for the third consecutive time in the PwC Foundation’s Volunteering Days. It all began with an idea from two people who were simply looking for a different way to give back to society through their workplace. That idea was immediately embraced. When it was presented to the people of the organisation, it received an exceptionally warm and positive response.

Every year, volunteers such as Georgia, Theoni, Stefani, Dimitra, Giorgos, Gianna, Christina, and many others pour their hearts into organising diverse activities, allowing PwC people to choose the action that best represents them. Actions driven by love and by the desire to become part of this collective effort.

The measurable result? 13 different activities and 350 volunteers.

The immeasurable result? Countless happy faces, smiles, warm hugs, pride, and emotions filling the air. From the institutions we visited and the shelters caring for stray animals, to the organisations we support for their work—and, ultimately, to our own souls.

For me, volunteering is a way of life and a state of mind. Think of it as a status update on social media. Where someone might write “Konstantina is worried” or “Konstantina is happy,” imagine being able to choose: “Konstantina is giving.”

I was born and raised in a large city of six million people, where poverty and human need were impossible to ignore. My heart would ache when I saw children begging or people living on the streets. Back then, I made a small promise to myself—to help whenever and however I could, by doing something meaningful. To become a volunteer for life.

I am convinced that I am not alone. Life has proven it to me, and so has the PwC Foundation. This entire journey is shared with people who think and feel the same way I do. Now I know that we are many—and that every year, we will become even more.

There are generous people all around us who want to share, who want to participate, and who want to offer. The volunteers of the PwC Foundation confirm exactly that. They are people of all ages and all levels within the professional hierarchy, and every year they are proud to show up, choosing the action through which they will contribute. And believe me—they do it from the heart.

When you give, it does not matter what you give, how much, or when. What matters is that you do it. Whether it is little or a lot makes no difference. The difference is made by wanting, being able, and participating. Gratitude for what we have leads us to give.

So let us think differently. Even the smallest act means a great deal in volunteering.

Happy holidays!

By Konstantina Logotheti, Head of Marketing & Communications at PwC Cyprus and Director of the PwC Foundation