The Staples Mitzvah Club hosted a fundraiser in support of United Hatzalah on Sunday, Dec. 17. The fundraiser was a walk/run at the Staples High School track and lasted from 12-1:30 p.m.
A guest speaker and winter-themed food were featured at the event, and a donation of $18 was requested prior to attendance.
The fundraiser was hosted as tensions were rising and violence was ensuing in Israel and Gaza following the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.
“After Oct. 7, I made an Instagram account about Israel and hoped to create a fundraiser,” Mitzvah Club Vice President Audrey Bunan ’25 said. “We hope to bring awareness to the topic and what’s going on in Israel and to raise as much money for the United Hatzalah as possible.”
Although surrounding a controversial and divisive issue, the event garnered widespread support in Westport.
“I think the turnout was amazing,” contributor Valentina Davis ’24 said. “Not only did friends come but family and others showed their support and came to this event. Additionally, the public’s response was nothing but supportive.”
While the event mainly focused on support for Israel, the humanitarian crisis occurring on both sides of the conflict were on the minds of many.
“I think this walk can spread awareness to the community that the war going on in Gaza is affecting people everywhere,” Flora Williams ’24 said. “I think that it can unify the people here, no matter what side you stand on… It’s not just about Israel or Palestine, it’s affecting people everywhere and people need to recognize that.”
United Hatzalah, the focus of the fundraiser, is an emergency medical services organization based in Israel that focuses on providing fast responses free of charge. The organization has been heavily involved and seeking donations since the war began.
“We have increased our goal to raise $49.6 million in order to fully equip 7,000 United Hatzalah volunteers with protective vests and helmets, oxygen tanks, defibrillators, trauma bandages, and tourniquets,” According to United Hatzalah. “These supplies can be ordered and delivered immediately to ensure that UH medics on the front lines have everything they need to respond to the ongoing attacks.”
The event was hosted to garner support and donations for United Hatzalah and their cause.
“We hope to bring awareness to the topic and what’s going on in Israel and to raise as much money for the United Hatzalah as possible,” Bunan said. “Ultimately our main goal is to bring together a large community tomorrow in support of Israeli citizens.”
