EMERGENCY FUND! URGENT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH

Updated Nov13th, 2023

Emergency FUND – Time to ACT NOW and direct funds to the ground where most needed.

In the wake of Hamas’ unprecedented and barbaric attack on Israel, and the ensuing war, we are sure you are glued to the news with your hearts broken and want to help. The people are resilient and have mobilized, but require resources for maximum impact. We are here to help streamline your emergency giving, making it fast and efficient, with 100% of funds going directly to the source within one day, and being reported back.

What started on October 7th, at 6:30am Israel time, will forever be remembered as one of the most horrific assaults on Israel in its history. Hamas breached the Gaza border by sea, land, and air, infiltrating over 20 Israeli communities on the border of the Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of over 1,300 Israelis, wounding thousands, and kidnapping over 200. Hamas continues to barrage the entire country with rockets, while Hezbollah and other terrorists assault the north with missiles and attempted infiltrations. The IDF has overseen the largest mobilization in Israel’s history, with 300,000 soldiers preparing for war.

Grant Recipients

We’re directing grants to the following organizations: Ashkelon Foundation and City of Ashkelon, Afikei Orot, Ofakim, the Sderot Foundation, Kibbutz Nahal Oz, and Friends of Barzilai Medical Center Ashkelon.

Your generous support has been astounding, with donations having poured in since the start of the war. Ninety families whose homes were hit by rocket fire were evacuated to hotels. We purchased for those in public shelters games and toys, rechargeable phone battery units, protective vests and helmets, and provided daily hot meals and water. This is all because of you!

Letter of acknowledgement from Mayor of Ashkelon.

All donations are tax deductible. Link to donation via credit card (USA) ; Link for donations from Australia ; Link for donations from Canada (choose from drop down) Giving Group Community is tax deductible vehicle for donating via wire, check, credit card or stock.

Needs

Resilience and trauma reducing programs for pre-K to 12 graders in Ashkelon-Sderot-Ofakim

The cities have launched programs focused on strengthening emotional and mental resilience, as well as, respite activities that will help the children process what they experienced and reduce gaps created by the reality that the children were isolated in their homes without friends for so long.

Many of our children are suffering from high levels of anxiety and stress, vast loneliness, we have placed an emphasis on social activities and on strengthening the self, tools for teamwork and experiential simulations, and the students will be able to create connections and friendships with their friends.

Each classroom of 30 students, costs around $1,250 on average for a program of 20 sessions, of 90 minutes.

Excavators JCB

The city is in urgent need of two additional excavators with over 350 direct hits in Ashkelon, the town can’t keep up with debris removal and clean-up which is a hazard to the citizens safety and health.

Cost per unit ~$62.5K *2 units= $125,000

Surveillance cameras in public places, to help increase response in identifying rocket hits and potential terrorists’ infiltrations. 18 security and surveillance cameras are required to cover and protect the southern side of the city and the coastal strip from where there is a greater danger of terrorist infiltration, as well as, receive more immediate information re rocket hits and damage to manage deployment of rescue and response resources. Security 360 degrees cameras with thermal imaging capability. Double optical zoom 35. 60x digital zoom film range up to 3.8 miles. The camera’s broadcast directly to emergency command center and can be controlled remotely. The units are in inventory and can be delivered and installed immediately! Each Camera unit cost and installation with VAT ~$40,000 in addition to various accessories. We can install one unit at a time- each unit increases safety and protection.

Cost per unit ~$42K *18 = $750,000

The cities of Ashkelon and Sderot have suffered from a lack of sufficient public bomb shelters. Now more than ever, click here to donate. Let’s secure another 10 units, at $28,500 per unit = $285,000 <link to bomb shelter page>

Long-Term Needs

Looking forward, Israel’s southern communities require infrastructure to enable rehabilitation and strengthen resilience. Help us rebuild Israel’s southern city of Ashkelon:

• Constructing a protected community center $6.25M
• Developing a sheltered Emergency Operations Center $3.75M
• Establishing a sheltered trauma reduction center $1.25M

For a detailed list of current opportunities see The City of Ashkelon Foundation <link>

The City of Ofakim, just 21 miles from the Gaza border, is now in urgent need of building its security infrastructure. Attached a new long term list of needs for the City of Ofakim <link>

Our CEO, Seth Davis, shares on a personal note: “My family and community in Ashkelon and the surrounding area have never been so frightened and are mobilizing a neighborhood watch. It is hard to convey the shock and disbelief of the residents of the South.” October 7th, 2023.

All donations are tax deductible. Link to donation via credit card (USA) ; Link for donations from Australia ; Link for donations from Canada (choose from drop down) Giving Group Community is tax deductible vehicle for donating via wire, check, credit card or stock.

Thank you for supporting thus far the costs of funerals and shiva’s, for over 70 fallen members of our communities in Ashkelon and Sderot. We were able to support the purchase of shiva sukkah’s, plastic chairs, folding tables, hot platters, refrigerators, kettles, coolers, mats, electrical plugs and more.

In addition to supporting the needs in public shelters, for unprotected and low-income citizens, including the purchase; emergency lights for public shelters, small generators for public shelters, large generators, standing fans, mattresses, miscellaneous supplies and materials (e.g. toys and games, blankets, assistance with purchase of games, puzzles, and arts and crafts) for 300 public shelters, daily food for shelters, recharging batteries for cell phones. As well as mobilizing and evacuating 90 families (500 people), whose homes were hit by rockets, to hotels in safe areas and providing food in the interim while a long-term solution is sought.

You can choose what you would like to designate to.

Let us rally together in this war – and help Israel at its time of need.

Feel free to reach out to us and ask for more information and/or suggest other areas where you would like to make an impact.

Photos Credit @Ashkelon Municipality and @TheMedicalCenterofBarzilai @AshkelonNews

Tags

Ashkelon | Capital | EMERGENCY | ISRAEL | ISRAEL AT WAR | ISRAEL REBUILD & RECOVERY | Periphery | South