(FJC.ru) Local Jewish organizations awarded students from the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School in the west Siberian city of Omsk, Russia, for their efforts in assisting poor and underprivileged children in the region.

Sixth-grader Veronika Yakubovich spearheaded the charitable initiative, in which she and her peers collected toys, pencils, crayons, markers and other school supplies for needy families. Over Purim, they also visited homebound Jewish residents to spread some holiday warmth. On each visit, the children sang songs and sat with the residents, who expressed appreciation for the care shown them.

Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Osher Krichevsky, the city's chief rabbi, commended the students, noting that such actions bring light and kindness into society.