The “Paratroopers Fund” established by a group of devoted individuals who came together after the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War, united by values of comradeship and deep commitment to the families of the fallen. In its early years, the group operated independently and without a formal structure. As the need arose to organize its activities and raise funds, an association was established under the name “The Foundation for the Families of Fallen Paratroopers.”
For over fifty years, the Fund has been dedicated to supporting the families of widows and orphans. Following the “Tzor disasters” (1982/83), the organization also assumed responsibility for supporting families of the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), in coordination with the relevant authorities and units.
The Fund for the Care of Paratroopers’ Families is a registered non-profit organization. Membership is voluntary and open to all those who have served in the paratroopers. The Fund operates entirely through volunteers—there are no salaried employees—and its entire budget is devoted to fulfilling its mission.
Our goal is to support and accompany bereaved families, striving to give them a measure of what a father would have provided had he lived, under the guiding slogan: “Dad’s Friends.”
The Foundation supports families year-round through organized trips, events, birthday gifts for each child, and ongoing personal contact. As part of this effort, we hold three four-day activity programs each year for widows and children. These programs emphasize values, culture, and love of the country, alongside rest and recreation.
To ensure close personal connection, each family is assigned a dedicated contact person. In addition, the Foundation has established a permanent team of instructors for the children’s groups, who accompany them in all activities from the time they join until their military enlistment—and even beyond. A consistent core team of instructors and coordinators also accompanies the mothers on their trips, helping to maintain strong personal bonds.
We do everything in our power to respond to every request or need raised by the families, including helping them connect with appropriate organizations and professionals.
In accordance with the law, the Fund is managed by a board of directors, headed by a chairperson elected from among its members. All activities are carried out through circles of volunteers—board members, family coordinators, program managers, instructors, and volunteers for special initiatives (such as jeep tours, hosting, and more)—each contributing according to their abilities and skills. There are no salaried employees, administrative overhead is minimal, and all donations are directed toward program activities.
In addition to modest institutional support, the Foundation relies on donations from friends and supporters, who contribute according to their means through monthly standing orders or one-time donations. The Fund is managed with full transparency, under the supervision of oversight and finance committees, and is audited by an external accountant, as required by law.
We, the members of the Foundation, are committed to preserving the spirit of volunteerism on which we were raised, and to carrying out our activities with dedication, humility, and excellence—honoring both the families and the memory of the fallen.