United Hatzalah of Israel will honor former Tonight Show host Jay Leno with the Humanitarian Award for his support and work with the organization at its first annual Gala in Los Angeles, California. The non-profit organization hopes to raise thousands of dollars to help support its lifesaving work in Israel.
The Gala will be taking place on Thursday, February 28th, at the Beverly Hilton, featuring an uplifting performance by Israeli recording artist Dudu Aharon and hosted by Israeli model Esti Ginzburg.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the philanthropic event, including elected officials, civic figures and community leaders. The evening will pay tribute to the 5,000 volunteers around Israel that make up the organization’s network of first responders and the organization’s capabilities of providing service to an entire country around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
“We are very excited to be holding our first gala in Los Angeles,” said President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel, Eli Beer. “The community there has been tremendous in supporting the lifesaving work that we do in Israel and we are happy to be able to provide them with this chance to partner with us and getting more involved with saving lives in Israel.”
In addition to providing an evening of entertainment, attendees will learn about United Hatzalah’s unique initiatives and how they can get involved. According to Regional Development Officer Dorene Nili, “The event will not simply be another fundraising dinner. We are looking to get people from Los Angeles engaged in what is going on in Israel every day. Whether it is by learning how they can organize a CPR course in their own community, or learning about programs that they or their children can participate in such as the Camp Rescue summer camp, United Hatzalah’s NREMT cooperative training program, our Day of Lifesaving initiative, traveling with us on our Spring Mission to Israel, or joining our young leadership program, there is literally something for everyone.”
Nili spoke about how the Gala’s main purpose is to generate community assistance for community responders. “It’s about communities helping communities,” she said. “Fundraising events happen all the time, especially in California. What makes this one different,” Nili explained, “is that the United Hatzalah LA Gala will provide attendees the opportunity to engage themselves, their families and their networks in being a part of our life-saving mission. Our organization is based upon people stepping up and taking the initiative to help others. Our EMT volunteers give their time at a moment’s notice and drop whatever it is that they are doing to immediately help people they don’t even know. And they save lives regardless of race or religion. We are offering the people of Los Angeles the opportunity to become partners in that. We’re not looking for people to simply come to a five-hour sit-down dinner. We want people to take an active role to help save lives in Israel. When your family or mine go to visit Israel, they may actually be called upon to help save a life. They may even be the ones who need help. We want our community here to help others and to help themselves by supporting our volunteers in doing what they do best.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: United Hatzalah)
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One Response
Leno has always been a class act. Saw his show in CA once and he was very gracious to the audience and greeted everyone. His commitment to helping people (Jewish and non) is well known.
Yasher koach.