There are units that are serving in extremely cold areas. Out of the hundreds of young men and women serving there are many of them that cannot afford a basic winter fleece. Almond Branch proudly donated 300 winter fleeces to the young cadets in January 2011. It was an amazing opportunity to meet a tangible need as well provide the chance to bring encouragement and hope. We look forward to similar outreaches in the future.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

There are units that are serving in extremely cold areas. Out of the hundreds of young men and women serving there are many of them that cannot afford a basic winter fleece. Almond Branch proudly donated 300 winter fleeces to the young cadets in January 2011. It was an amazing opportunity to meet a tangible need as well provide the chance to bring encouragement and hope. We look forward to similar outreaches in the future.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Missile fire from Gaza began against Sderot and the western Negev in January, 2001. Since then, more than 10,000 Kassam and Ketusha rockets have pummeled Israel’s southern region. Twenty-eight Israelis have died in these attacks; nine of them lived in Sderot, and 3 of those were children. Additionally, more than 600 Israelis have been injured and thousands have been psychologically traumatized by the rocket explosions. The western Negev and especially Sderot bear the physical scars of these attacks – many homes, schools, businesses and synagogues have been damaged, and great economic hardship has fallen upon the individuals and families living in these areas.

Once populated by 30,000 people, Sderot’s remaining 19,000 residents live 2.5 kilometers from Gaza.  More than any other group in Israel, they absorb most of Gaza’s missiles, which have forced thousands to abandon the city and relocate elsewhere.

Sderot has one of the highest post traumatic stress (PTSD) incident rates in Israel due to the rocket fire it receives. One of the local trauma centers “treats 620 patients, of whom 80% are children”, according to the center’s director Daliah Yosef. And that center is in danger of closing due to lack of funding.  The Sderot Mental Health Center, which treats victims 18 years and older, has more than 6,000 trauma victim files.

Read more...

During the 2006 war, 4,000 Ketusha rockets were fired into Israel by the Hizbollah rebels in Lebanon. 2,500 of those rockets fell on the far-northern city of Kiryat Shmona, creating enormous physical damage as well as emotional trauma, especially for young children. For this reason, much of our humanitarian outreach since August, 2006 has been in Kiryat Shmona.

Because of the security needs in this strategic Israeli city, thousands of Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers pass through this area daily. Unlike the United States’ armed forces, there is very little money available to pay soldiers in the IDF. Prompted by a love for these young soldiers, seven IDF veterans started a small food and beverage stand in 1994, using volunteer labor and donated food, with the sole intent of offering a sandwich, a cold drink and a place to rest for each soldier who passes through.

Wear and tear and the effects of war made it necessary to rebuild the Canteen, which needed a total renovation. The plan was to expand and modernize this very modest but vital haven, upgrading the services offered to the soldiers.

Most Americans are surprised to learn that a very high percentage of Israel's population lives in poverty… 22% nationwide and an estimated 27% or higher in northern Israel. Because of this, many soldiers have very little money, but the Canteen enables them to receive food for themselves and often for their families, as they travel back home or to their northern bases.

The number of volunteers who make this project possible is staggering. More than 40 women, most of them over the age of 60, are involved daily with the preparation and distribution of food to hundreds of soldiers daily.

Read more...

Almond Branch Initiative provided the funds needed to fully equip Dr. Rita with complete emergency and surgical field equipment to be used during war times and during acts of terror. Dr. Rita is part of a volunteer program called First Responders. All medical professionals in this program serve on a volunteer basis and must therefore afford their own equipment. ABI not only paid for the medical supplies but also provided Dr. Rita with a bulletproof helmet and a flak jacket for her personal protection!

---

The following is the thank you letter we received from Dr. Rita:

Shalom Jill,

My name is Dr. Rita and I have received your donation of personal equipment during the Gaza operation.

During the recent conflict in the south of Israel, I, along with many other doctors, medical personnel, firefighters, rescue workers and just ordinary citizens of Israel, felt compelled by the terrible conditions and tremendous trauma that the residents of towns, villages and communities were forced to live under, to volunteer our services to give these brave men, women and children, and any all assistance that we could in order to make their lives just a little easier.

Read more...