The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) does all it can to take care of its soldiers. However, with winter’s arrival, The LIBI Fund, the only official foundation for the IDF, is going the extra mile to help soldiers feel loved, appreciated and warm.
Recently, through donations given towards winter wear, The LIBI Fund distributed fleece jackets branded with unit logos and neck warmers to over 200 women on the southern Gaza and Egyptian borders. “Women in jeeps, out in the cold, don’t get the same attention that paratroopers do,” explained Brigadier General Yehiel Gozal, CEO of The LIBI Fund. “Therefore, these soldiers became our first priority. We want to show support and send every soldier a warm hug through our winter clothing campaign.” r Lucky Patcher for iPhone
Though combat soldiers receive winter coats from the IDF, during their downtime, they do not want to wear combat clothing. Yet, soldiers still need to stay warm. “The LIBI Fund went out of its way to provide fleece jackets and neck warmers which are more comfortable and attractive than the standard army wear,” said Gozal.
The immediate goal of The LIBI Fund is to raise enough money to distribute 6,000 fleece jackets and neck warmers to every soldier in the field. “There are thousands of IDF forces stationed on Israel’s borders who are there for extended amounts of time and are freezing,” described Gozal. “They can sometimes fall between the cracks with receiving the extra care and attention that they deserve.”
Gozal expressed that often people donate to special fighting units as they are the most well known. However, there is also a responsibility to take care of the brigades based for lo
ng intervals, 24/7 on mountains and in the desert on all of Israel’s borders.
“The LIBI Fund is striving to present every recruit with a branded fleece jacket and neck warmer from the beginning of their service,” shared Gozal. “In this way, they will be prepared for the cold weather for the full three years of their service right from their start. We have seen the pride and appreciation of the soldiers who have already received this gift from The LIBI Fund.”
Gozal pointed out that The LIBI Fund is the only legal channel for providing gifts to IDF soldiers in active duty. “We aim to do something special for every one of our forces,” he said. “Over 95 percent of donations made through LIBI USA go directly towards supporting our troops.”
The LIBI Fund maintains an infrastructure to assure that every soldier receives what is needed. They coordinate campaigns directly with the IDF and distribute supplies in an organized fashion. This assures that every purchase meets army regulations and every program assists the IDF in their mission to build present day and future Israeli heroes.