Five bomb shelters were donated today (Tuesday June 26, 2009) in Ashkelon to the schools Asaf Maimon and the School of the Arts. The schools had no shelters to protect the students from deadly rocket attacks from Gaza. During Operation Cast Lead in January, over one hundred rockets were fired at Ashkelon. The shelters, each weighing 69 tons and with room for 50 students, were purchased by Operation Lifeshield, a US-based non-profit organization which receives donations in order to save lives, and give the people of Ashkelon shelter. The donors are Christians who love Israel. A ceremony was held today in honor of Pastor Scott Thomas (head of “Without Walls Central”) from Florida, Rabbi Shmuel Bowman (Operation Lifeshield Israel Director) and Mr. Shep Alster (Founder of Operation Lifeshield). Pastor Tony Baker (head of Faith Assembly congregation in Pennsylvania) donated one of the shelters, but was unable to attend.
The mayor of the city, Beni Vaknin hosted the donors at a reception at City Hall, and told them about the lack in shelters in his city of 122,000 people.
The mayor said that “Ashkelon is the most southern Israeli city on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and on the south we border with Gaza. In a different situation, both cities could have developed side by side, but sadly, in reality things are different.”
Shmuel Bowman said at the end of the visit that he was very pleased to see how the Municipality of Ashkelon and Ackerstein Industries (the company that built the bomb shelters), worked together quickly in order to protect the schoolchildren, and save their lives. “I believe that we will continue working together“, remarked Bowman, “because the donors love the People of Israel, and want to help and protect the children.“
Mayor Beni Vaknin thanked the donors, Pastor Scott Thomas and Mr. Shep Alster (representing Pastor Tony Baker) saying, “Your donation will support Ashkelon, and help us face the threat of the missiles. I thank you for your support in Ashkelon and in Israel. It’s good to know that we have such great loving friends in the world.“
(Translation provided by Yoav Netanel Bowman)
I visited one of the Ashkelon schools last month, and the students and security officer were thrilled to greet me and tell me how the shelters have provided the emotional strength of knowing that friends far-away truly care about them. The shelters are in excellent condition, clean and well-kept – and this is at a school of 500 elementary students! This is truly a gift that is appreciated every single day.
I asked Ashkelon’s Security Director Mr. Yossi Grinfeld what the top security and emergency needs are TODAY in his municipality, and he wrote back a short list of 6 items. The TOP TWO ITEMS were 1) shelters for kindergartens, and 2) shelters for schools.
I rely on the professionals to tell me what is needed – so it might seem quiet along the Gaza border – however Ashkelon and other communities know that it is a false sense of tranquility.
I’m on social security which unables me to give money…but my prayers are always with the people of Israel…Especially the children-they didn’t ask to be in a situation like this-I pray for you nightly..ahhh dear children of G-d-may the G-d of Abraham, Jacob and Issac in-camp His mighty Angels around you daily…G-D bless you…George Jimenez, sr.
I am the Southeastern Director for Operation Lifeshield in the United States. Anyone visiting our website may contact me at 270-303-3396 about assisting in our efforts to continue the protection of innocent Israeli citizens from the onslaught of rocket attacks by Hamas.
This terrorist proxy funded by Iran has in recent weeks pronounced that Ashkelon is now their primary target with schools being the primary attack point.
I visited one of the Ashkelon schools last month, and the students and security officer were thrilled to greet me and tell me how the shelters have provided the emotional strength of knowing that friends far-away truly care about them. The shelters are in excellent condition, clean and well-kept – and this is at a school of 500 elementary students! This is truly a gift that is appreciated every single day.