Like many other State Duma deputies, I am often asked to provide financial assistance. I must point out that there is no special sponsorship fund in the State Duma, and that deputies cannot directly provide any financial assistance beyond what is legally due. (They could do so privately, of courser, but that would have nothing to do with their status as Duma deputies).
From my observations, however, many of these requests can be resolved perfectly well at the local level. Especially if they concern organizations like schools, kindergartens, summer camps etc, or else specific sectors of the population (veterans, invalids, benefit claimants). For this you have to apply to the municipal authorities and fill in the appropriate forms. And MOST IMPORTANTLY – don’t listen to people who tell you that nothing can be done about it and all your efforts are a waste of time. Don’t listen to them and don’t wait for help to arrive by itself without making an effort. Go to your local authorities and find out how your problems can be solved and get them solved. Have no doubt: if your cause is a good one, you’ll win. And if the worst comes to the worst, I’ll help.
Like when the head of a kindergarten in Kemerovo Region asked me for help in raising funds to buy teaching, games and medical equipment. To speed things up I sent an official deputy’s request directly to the Governor of Kemerovo Region, Aman Tuleev.
The Governor’s assistants were on the ball, and I got an answer quite quickly – the necessary funds were allocated from the municipal budget to the kindergarten. Admittedly, the amount was less than what the head had asked for, but quite sufficient to buy sports and gymnastics equipment, games furniture, medical equipment and even a computer.
The kids in the older group now have their “Malysh” sports centre, a dry basin, jumping frames, tracks for curing flatfootedness, lego sets, sets of sports equipment and much more besides. Every group in the kindergarten now has sports modules, mats and a wide variety of toys.