News

LVM Employees Make Trench Candles from Cones to Support Ukraine

Ukraine has been torn by Russian troops for two years. To support the defenders of Ukraine at the front line, employees of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) in cooperation with the association “Tavi draugi” have created an unusual solution for making trench candles – using pinecones instead of cardboard.

On 21 February, LVM employees prepared candles from pinecones together with other supporters of Ukraine on the premises of the association “Tavi draugi”. For this purpose, 250 kilograms of pinecones were delivered from LVM Kalsnava Cone Drying Facility. At LVM Kalsnava Cone Drying Facility, seeds for young tree seedlings are obtained from cones – first, they are dried, then the seeds are sifted from the cones, and then they are sieved, washed, dried, and calibrated. In turn, empty cones are most often used in floristry, and now also in the production of candles.

Insight into the trench candle-making workshop

“Like most of my colleagues, I regularly financially support Ukraine's struggle for its right to self-determination, but sometimes there is an internal need for practical action, however small. Rain gas is also made up of billions of tiny droplets but can help put out a forest fire. Therefore, I responded to the company's invitation to participate in the casting of trench candles. Support for Ukraine comes naturally and is self-explanatory, because I have many Ukrainian acquaintances, including a girl who has been living with us since the onset of the war.

The workshop itself went smoothly – we created an efficient 'production line' that 'stamped' trench candles at a pace worthy of an automated factory. Therefore, in about three hours, the work was done, and hundreds of trench candles in boxes were waiting for a quick delivery to Ukraine. We were left with the feeling of a job well done. But not just the feeling of a job done, but with the feeling that our work will actually improve the unimaginably difficult life of dozens of people at the front line,” Reinis Indāns, Senior Programmer at LVM Business Solutions, shares his experience at the workshop.

Both soldiers and civilians use trench candles outdoors to heat food, water, or to warm themselves. The first trench candles made from cones are already on their way to Ukraine – to warm the defenders of Ukraine at the front line.

Instructing LVM employees in the correct preparation of candles, Aldis Silovs, a volunteer of the association “Tavi Draugi” said: “War is a very expensive event, it eats up everything – not only tanks, houses, money, but also many, many lives.”

Glory to Ukraine!