On December 4, 2025, the Old Theatre hosted the ceremonial Gala of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year of Bolesławiec County—an exceptional event during which individuals, groups and organizations who do good every day, often quietly but with tremendous strength and commitment, were honored.

The ceremony began with a musical performance by the Orchestra and Choir of the Witold Lutosławski State Music School of the First Degree in Bolesławiec and students of the I General Secondary School in Bolesławiec. The host of the gala—Bolesławiec County Head Tomasz Gabrysiak—welcomed the volunteers, nominees and guests, emphasizing the exceptional role of people who, driven by compassion, become involved in helping others.

This year's edition received 29 nominations, and the competition jury recognized volunteers in five categories: Adult Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, Occasional Volunteering, Non-Governmental Organization, and Donor, and awarded the special title “Volunteer with a Great Heart.”

Winners of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year competition

Category: Adult Volunteer

🏆 Anna Mikołajewicz
🏆 Krystyna Wójtowicz

Category: Youth Volunteer

🏆 Joanna Łacińska

Category: Occasional Volunteering

🏆 Volunteer Club of the II General Secondary School named after Janusz Korczak in Bolesławiec

Category: Non-Governmental Organization

🏆 Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Company “Commando”

Category: Donor

🏆 Dare To Speak language school – Emilia and Marvin Fredericks
Distinction⭐ “Painted Bird” language school – Ignacja Kisielewska-Maunder

Special Award – Volunteer with a Great Heart

🏆 Władysława Kotlarek—for many years of work for women associated with the Bolesławiec Amazons’ Club.

The 2025 Volunteer of the Year Gala was beautiful proof of how many residents of Bolesławiec County devote their time, knowledge, empathy and heart to other people every day.

Volunteers, donors, organizations and young people show that community is born from actions that often go unseen—but change the world for the better.