Kindness Isn’t Just About Talking the Talk,It’s About Walking the Walk

25 november 2025

November saw a volunteer effort unfold at Tomskneftekhim that wasn't on any official calendar, but started with a simple desire to help. It all began when Veronika Zhilkina put forward the initiative and her colleagues got on board, leading their company to support a Seversk-based Kotodom animal shelter, a small but resilient rescue organization.

On November 1 to November 14, compassionate employees were collecting food, litter, and other essential supplies for the shelter’s tenants. Their colleagues from across the company, along with their families and friends, also joined the effort. Zhilkina also taught a Lesson of Kindness to third-grade students of School No. 78, after which the children contributed to the campaign as well.

In total, campaign participants collected 507 kilograms’ worth of donations including 110 kg of dry food, 739 pouches (58 kg), 22 kg of litter, along with bedding, vitamins, medicines, bowls, trays, gloves, trash bags, scratching posts, and a full-fledged play complex. The staff of the shelter also dropped off needed items daily at a collection box set up near the checkpoint; and each evening Veronika transported them to a garage, where she and her husband sorted everything into boxes.

They also raised 41,188 rubles in additional funding that was used to purchase scratching posts, a play set, cat houses, trays, bowls, medicines, and more pet food.

Veronika Zhilkina, Tomskneftekhim:
"When colleagues chipped in with money or food they had bought, they thanked us, and that meant the world to us. We all have this instinct to help others. What we did was a truly kind thing, and I thank everyone who took part. Even one small bag of food added up to 500 kilograms of help in the end, and it’s amazing."

Olga Udalova, the shelter’s owner:
"We'd never gotten this much in donations before. You are genuine friends. Thank you to every one of you."

Tomskneftekhim’s employees also spent their time at the shelter helping unpack and arrange supplies, assembling play structures, washing the bowls, and playing with the animals. For many, one thing became clear: the shelter’s animals needs more than material items. They crave human attention and care.

Anastasia Ovchinnikova, Senior Lawyer, Tomskneftekhim:
"Doing good is easy, and it often happens on the spur of the moment. Showing children an example of care and compassion is particularly important. I try to get my own children involved in initiatives such as this one, and they happily tag along."

Galina Miklina, Lead Specialist for Mobilization Activities, Tomskneftekhim:
"We had known about this shelter and how much support it needed. What really struck us was the fact that only two individuals currently look after so many animals. And yet the cats are well-groomed, well-fed, and live in clean and comfortable spaces. It became clear to me that the shelter needs regular help so that even more animals can find new homes."

Through concerted efforts, what started as a one-off social media post grew into a meaningful act of kindness. The Tomskneftekhim team is already planning to rerun the campaign next spring.

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They also raised 41,188 rubles in additional funding that was used to purchase scratching posts, a play set, cat houses, trays, bowls, medicines, and more pet food.

Olga Udalova, the shelter’s owner:
"We'd never gotten this much in donations before. You are genuine friends. Thank you to every one of you."

Through concerted efforts, what started as a one-off social media post grew into a meaningful act of kindness. The Tomskneftekhim team is already planning to rerun the campaign next spring.

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They also raised 41,188 rubles in additional funding that was used to purchase scratching posts, a play set, cat houses, trays, bowls, medicines, and more pet food.

Olga Udalova, the shelter’s owner:
"We'd never gotten this much in donations before. You are genuine friends. Thank you to every one of you."

Through concerted efforts, what started as a one-off social media post grew into a meaningful act of kindness. The Tomskneftekhim team is already planning to rerun the campaign next spring.

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