ANERA’s Community of Donors Responds Generously and Creatively to Help Gaza

Fuad Foty performs on the oud, an Arab instrument, at a Washington DC fundraiser for Gaza aid.

Fuad Foty performs on the oud at a Washington DC evening of poetry, music, and art dedicated to fundraising for Gaza.

ANERA staff in Washington process donations for Gaza projects.

Donations for Gaza are processed at ANERA headquarters in Washington.

Since fighting broke out in Gaza on December 27, 2008, we have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of support and concern for innocent Palestinian families caught in the crossfire. Religious, social and community groups around the world are organizing to raise awareness and funds to help people in Gaza recover. Word has spread quickly about the important work that needs to be done in Gaza and ANERA’s ability to deliver.

High school and university students have organized fundraisers in Georgia, Florida, New York, California, Oklahoma and Connecticut. Mosques and Islamic Centers have been circulating ANERA materials and raising funds in Philadelphia, Chicago and Kentucky. A church in Maryland inserted ANERA flyers into their Sunday bulletins, while another in Virginia held a general community fundraiser with an ANERA presenter.

In New York City and Washington DC there have been several fundraisers featuring films, poetry readings and music. Also in New York, there was a walk-a-thon and an evening of communal singing for Gaza. Countless individuals have forwarded ANERA emails and webpage links to their friends and family who care.

Organizations have also come forward to help, hosting fundraising events that highlight ANERA’s work, featuring us on their websites, and forwarding ANERA updates about Gaza to their contact lists. Numerous blogs have promoted ANERA as a safe and trustworthy steward of funds by linking to our Gaza donate pages.

And every day we open envelopes with checks and messages of encouragement collected from people who want to help.

Our staff and partners in Gaza continue to report back about the magnitude of the work we have ahead of us. So much of their recovery depends on the goodwill and generosity of the world outside of Gaza – and it lifts their spirits to know they are not forgotten and that we are working hard for them. On behalf of ANERA's board, staff, volunteers and the thousands of Palestinian families we are helping, thank you all for your ongoing support and dedication.