Collection down, but new plan brings hope
MAGEN David Adom (MDA) has called on the community to fill its charity boxes to support Israel’s emergency services after a disappointing collection day recently.
MAGEN David Adom (MDA) has called on the community to fill its charity boxes to support Israel’s emergency services after a disappointing collection day recently.
The collection day yielded only $2000, as donors were invited to exchange their old MDA boxes for new ones modelled on Israel’s ambulances. “It was reasonable. It wasn’t the best,” MDA NSW president Allan Bermeister told The AJN. “We didn’t get the numbers we had hoped. There are still more boxes out there that have not been returned.”
Bermeister said it is not too late for donors to return their old, full boxes to the charity. “We would like people in the community to contact us. If necessary, we will make necessary arrangements to come and pick it up from them.”
Last Sunday’s collection drive was organised after MDA staff realised that many of their collection boxes had not been tracked and were floating around in the community, without donations being turned in.
Bermeister said he was “disappointed” about the previous lack of monitoring, stressing this would change with the launch of the new boxes.
He said about 1000 boxes are set to be distributed throughout Sydney’s Jewish schools in the coming weeks.
“The more money we collect, the quicker we can get the money to help MDA in Israel,” he said.
The new boxes will be hard to miss and are painted in bright red and white with a Magen David emblazoned on the side and wheels. Bermeister said the collection day had helped MDA connect with the community. “It was a good opportunity to meet with our donors and increase MDA awarenes.”
He added that he was looking forward to future success with the new boxes. “These new tzedakah boxes are an excellent reminder about what [the group] does, and will appeal to young people in particular.”
MDA is Israel’s national emergency, medical, disaster, ambulance and blood-bank service. Since 2006, it has been officially recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
To return an MDA collection box: (02) 9328 5197
CHANTAL ABITBOL
MDA ambulances in Israel.
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