In the wake of Operation Protective Edge, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is shifting its emergency Frontline Campaign for the immediate well-being needs of Israeli troops during the conflict into a multi-pronged initiative to support comprehensive annual programming for the IDF soldiers and their families.
The FIDF “Day After” campaign will begin immediately, with FIDF directing its infrastructure of well-being activities and programs toward all the IDF soldiers who took part in this operation and are returning to their units. Israel’s soldiers must now deal with personal losses and the physical and emotional challenges of battle. Many soldiers have been injured during the operation and are still hospitalized or beginning rehabilitation. Furthermore, 64 families of fallen IDF soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice and are grieving their losses.
The campaign, which will include fundraising, has been in the planning stages since the needs of Israeli soldiers and their families began emerging during Operation Protective Edge.
FIDF will work through its 15 chapters in the United States and Panama to continue tending to the specific needs of combat brigades through the Adopt-a-Brigade program, particularly focusing on those that participated in Operation Protective Edge. FIDF will attend to the well-being of soldiers in these units, with activities such as SPIRIT weeks, providing soldiers with well-deserved rest and relaxation, and DIGNITY aid, which offers monetary assistance to soldiers with financial challenges. FIDF will also sponsor flights all over the world for Lone Soldiers who took part in the operation in Gaza, so that they can reconnect with their families and friends abroad.
FIDF will offer comfort and assistance to the soldiers wounded while fighting, and provide support to families who lost loved ones during this time through its LEGACY program.
Finally, FIDF will grant IMPACT! Scholarships to combat soldiers, as they work to further contribute to Israeli society through their education and volunteerism.
FIDF is the only official organization raising funds in the United States in coordination with the IDF for the well-being of Israel’s soldiers. Thanks to thousands of FIDF supporters, FIDF responded to Operation Protective Edge by delivering tens of thousands of well-being packages and items needed in the field to all IDF soldiers.
FIDF raises approximately $85 million annually to support the well-being of Israeli soldiers.
