Social and Charitable Initiatives of Spartak Sports & Recreation Center: A Systematic Approach During Wartime

 

The full-scale invasion has changed what people expect from public spaces. Shopping and entertainment centers no longer serve only commercial purposes. They have become places where visitors want to feel safe, receive support, and have the option to take part in meaningful initiatives.

At Spartak we focus on adapting our space to these needs. This is not about statements or slogans — it is about practical actions that have a real impact and support people affected by the war. In this blog, I share several initiatives we have implemented recently.

Exhibition of Military Trophies: A Practical Format That Delivers Results

One of our initiatives was a charitable exhibition of captured military equipment and items from the frontline. We displayed launch tubes, shell casings, FPV components, a UAV wing, ammunition boxes, and a captured vehicle.

The goal was straightforward: to run a fundraising activity in a clear and accessible format that naturally involves visitors. No excessive emotional framing, no “show elements.” The exhibition functioned as a practical tool rather than a symbolic gesture.

People donated directly at the exhibition — and that was the main result.

Partnership with UNBROKEN: Supporting Rehabilitation Through Real Actions

Screening of the “Okean Elzy” Documentary

Together with the UNBROKEN rehabilitation center, we organized a special screening of the documentary “Okean Elzy: Observation. Of the Storm.”
For some patients, this was their first visit to a cinema after severe injuries.

In this situation, the cinema was not entertainment — it became part of rehabilitation. A person who had been limited in mobility for a long time returned to an ordinary urban environment. This is an important step in regaining a familiar rhythm of life.

All proceeds from the screening were transferred to support UNBROKEN’s rehabilitation programs.

Rehabilitation Inside the Shopping Center

A second area of cooperation is regular rehabilitation sessions for veterans conducted directly inside Spartak.

UNBROKEN specialists work with wounded servicemen not only in rehabilitation halls but also in real environments: escalators, shops, moving among crowds, carrying items, navigating public space.

For us, this is ordinary infrastructure. For a person with a prosthesis, it is full-scale training in balance, spatial orientation, and safety.

This format does not require separate “events.” It is integrated into daily operations and produces results that cannot be replicated in a clinical setting.

Why We Chose a System Instead of One-Off Events

During wartime, emotional campaigns are far less effective than clear, repeatable processes. This is why we rely on a systematic approach rather than isolated actions. Each initiative has a practical purpose and measurable outcomes: fundraising, rehabilitation support, or operational assistance to partner organizations. We avoid activities that exist only for media visibility — our priority is usefulness for the people who actually need support.

Another principle is accessibility. All initiatives take place in the open space of the center, where anyone can participate. This removes unnecessary barriers and avoids over-complicated formats.

A third element is cooperation with professional organizations. Our partners — particularly UNBROKEN — provide expertise in working with the wounded. We, in turn, provide space and operational support. This division of responsibilities produces better results than attempting to handle everything internally.

The final principle is repeatability. These initiatives are not tied to media interest or specific dates. They continue regardless of external attention, and that is what makes them stable and effective. This approach is less visible from the outside, but significantly more meaningful for the people it serves.

What We Plan to Continue

We do not make large announcements, but over time several areas have become a stable part of our daily work. The most consistent of them is our partnership with UNBROKEN — both in rehabilitation training and in joint activities supporting their patients and families. It is not tied to occasions; it is a continuous process.

Another direction is supporting veteran initiatives. Rather than focusing on individual charity drives, we participate in ongoing projects that help veterans adapt to the urban environment and return to everyday routines.

We also continue projects for children and families affected by the war. These activities require few resources but provide essential support — a chance to rest, switch focus, and gain a positive experience in a safe environment.

We regularly assist charitable foundations and local partners by providing infrastructure, space, or organizational support whenever it helps them carry out their work more efficiently.

In parallel, we are developing barrier-free infrastructure across both centers. This is an ongoing process, not a single project, aimed at making movement easier for people with prostheses, parents with strollers, and anyone with mobility limitations.

All these efforts have a common goal: to create a space that genuinely serves the community. Without pathos, without declarations, and without promises that cannot be turned into practical action. This is everyday work that delivers real results.