Combat Engineering 603

Dear friends: I am writing to you during these difficult times for our people in Israel. Our ties to Israel have always been strong and important, but now more than ever before our nation needs our support. As a veteran of the unit Combat Engineering, Laura and I have been working to support the 500 soldiers who have been protecting Israel from within Gaza. The IDF never expected to have so many active soldiers and are lacking proper supplies and support for everyone who has been working tirelessly. They exhausted and they have limited hygiene products. They have requested large amounts of caffeine drinks, Energy bars, wipes, towels, deodorant, etc. We have been funding these needs while trying to purchase items from stores in Israel that have been directly impacted in hopes to boost Israeli economy while supporting these front line soldiers. We have also been funding and supplying much needed equipment such as bullet proof vests, tactical gloves, fleeces, rain jackets and Go Pro Cameras which have all been specifically requested. Some of these items are out of stock in Israel and are being purchased in New York and shipped on EL Al flights. We are also raising funds in order to build protective rooms (mamad) for a kindergarten in the South. This school has been closed since 10/7 as the school does not have a bomb shelter. The cost of a shelter is $100,000 and will allow the kids to go back to their much needed routine and school. We partnered with Am Yisrael Foundation to raise the funds in the US and Israel. Our goal is to raise $250,000. Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for supporting Am Israel! With love snd gratitude, Avi & Laura Shalem