In these last few months, God has done so much through VFI to impact Israel during Passover, Holocaust Memorial Day, and the beginning of the summer. We were able to add a little sweetness amid the bitterness of the war to families and soldiers during Passover, host amazing volunteers from around the world, place shelters while rocket attacks persist, provide fire equipment to a community in the North, and more! Take a look at this report to see the faces of the people God has impacted through your generous prayers and support over these last few months!
Passover 2024: Adding Sweetness to the Bitter
Every year VFI provides financial assistance to families in need during Passover, so they can put food on the holiday table and celebrate with dignity. This year our team had the honor to bless 1,374 families with gift cards to help make their Passover holiday a little bit sweeter even through the bitterness of the war and the loss of their loved ones. We were able to deliver the gift cards to families in several different cities throughout Israel, including Gedera, Ashdod, Ma'ale Adumim, Jerusalem, Petah Tikva, and Kiryat Malachi.
Supporting Golani Soldiers During Passover
This Passover, as we were all sitting around our tables, there were thousands of IDF soldiers on guard and fighting for our protection. Throughout the years, VFI has supported the Golani Brigade along with lone soldiers with gift cards during the holidays. This year we supported 300 soldiers who fought for four consecutive months inside Gaza with a special gift card of 250 NIS each. This was one small way to show our appreciation to these soldiers who have sacrificed so much, been away from their families and homes, risked their lives day after day, and bravely fought against terrorists to protect our nation.
Faithful Volunteers Serving at the Millennium Center
In the last couple of months, several tour groups have come from around the world to serve with us for a day. So far, we have had groups from the USA, Kenya, and Germany. These precious and faithful volunteers have helped us by sorting clothes for families in need, packing food baskets, and helping with anything else needed to get done at the Millennium Center. Our team at VFI is so grateful for these willing volunteers who have traveled to Israel during this time of war to help serve the Jewish people and make an impact on this nation!
Continuing to Install Shelters During the War
In April, VFI was able to install 12 new safety shelters throughout Israel. Even as the war with Hamas in the South, missile attacks from Iran, and continual rocket attacks from Hezbollah in the North continue, we have persisted in placing new shelters to help provide safety and protection to the citizens of Israel.
Barry has been so faithful to be on-site at the placing of each of the new shelters. Time and time again, Barry has left everything to drive at any distance to witness with his own eyes that each shelter is correctly placed.
This May VFI installed 30 shelters in the North of Israel. We placed these shelters next to synagogues, schools, bus stops, swimming pools, and sports centers throughout Kiryat Shmona, Upper Galilee, Kfar Blum, Marom HaGilil, Hazor HaGalilit, Ma'alot Tarshiha, and the settlements of the Ma'ale Yosef Regional Council.
Even on Holocaust Remembrance Day, we had the honor of placing 10 additional shelters on the northern border of Israel. We give God all the glory for the 253 shelters (92 in the North & 161 in the South) that have been placed in Israel since we began this project.
Fire-Fighting Equipment for Northern Kibbutz
As summer heats up and rocket fire from Lebanon continues, fires breaking out in the North of Israel become a common hazard. Therefore, we donated a portable fire extinguishing system to Kibbutz Sde Nehemiah, which is located in the Upper Galilee. This small system fits in the back of a pickup truck and provides a quick and portable solution to help fight fires.
After delivering the equipment, we toured the kibbutz's war room and learned about the projects they started since the beginning of the war, how they deal with a severe lack of protection, and their desire to function as a strong community.
