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PortugueseUnited with Israel, with the help of friends and supporters around the world, has provided over 3000 ‘warm winter’ care packages to IDF soldiers at numerous bases, from Israel’s northern borders with Syria and Lebanon, down to the Jordan Valley to the southern Negev region.
Earlier this season, Israel experienced the storm of a century, and this winter is turning out to be unusually cold. The gift packages, which include fleece jackets, hats, gloves and neck warmers, could not have come at a better time. Indeed, many soldiers have expressed their profound gratitude not only for these much-needed gifts, but also for the warm wishes and expressions of support they have received from millions of people worldwide who appreciate their bravery in protecting the people of Israel.
The diverse bases, many in particularly dangerous areas bordering unstable countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, include units for combat fighters, air force pilots, operations and specialists, tankers, paratroopers, intelligence officers, tank soldiers and others in the IDF who are courageously defending the State of Israel.
Some units received hundreds of packages, while others just a handful. There were over 8000 requests for winter packages so far this year. United with Israel was able to fill 3000, with another 200 now on their way. Distribution is based upon the urgency of the need. While the IDF does provide all of the military equipment for the soldiers, winter gear sometimes becomes the responsibility of the soldiers’ families, some of whom are not able to provide. In addition, there are many lone soldiers that are not able to purchase this without assistance.
Soldiers serving at the Chatmar Shomron Military Base near the biblical city of Shechem were among the beneficiaries. Shechem, known in Arabic and internationally as Nablus, is under the administration of the Palestinian Authority and has become a primary base for terrorist operations.
United with Israel, together with Thank Israeli Soldiers, celebrated at a party held on the second night of Chanukah this year, which coincided with Thanksgiving, at the Chatmar base with a festive holiday meal, candle-lighting ceremony, singing and dancing and, of course, distribution of gifts to these brave soldiers. Two busloads of families from around the country participated.
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Thousands of letters of support for the IDF and donations towards the gifts came from places as far away as Singapore, Thailand, Germany, England, the US, Brazil and Australia, among others. These expressions of gratitude and the warm winter clothing warmed their hearts and their souls.
At the party, the soldiers and families were full of joy. Comments from IDF fighters included:
“Thank you. We really enjoyed ourselves. Come every year!”
“I just want to say thank you for coming. It’s really special for us.”
“It feels really good and definitely helps us to do the tasks that we’re doing, knowing that people all around the world care about us and knowing that we have support. And we’re here for good.”
Indeed, it was an uplifting experience not only for these courageous fighters and defenders of Israel and the Free World, but also for the guests, who were inspired by their bravery. Let us continue to do whatever we can to ease their vital task for the sake of Israel and the Free World.
Click here if you are interested in partcipaing in the IDF Warm Winter Gift Campaign.
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