2009-07-15 : “Fun Money”

Jul 15, 2009

Fun Money


The war that broke out in Israel last December brought many civilian casualties as even more Kassam rockets fell on the southern part of the country. One of those casualties was a young boy named Avi who despite the severity of his injuries, continues to recover. At first, doctors believed that he would not survive-and yet he did. As his condition improved, their dire predictions of severe brain-damage and poor motor skills also proved wrong.

After immediate care in a local hospital, Avi was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Jerusalem where intense therapy continues today.

Throughout this entire trauma, now more than seven months later, Avi's family tries to cope. Both parents had to stop working, a younger child was left in the care of a grandmother and everyone continued to make the long trip from Beersheva to Jerusalem several times each week.

Through the generosity of others, Avi's family has received various types of critically important help to meet their needs, but what they really needed was some "fun money".

What is "fun money"? "Fun Money" can pay for a cab ride and entrance to the beautiful Jerusalem zoo. Or perhaps, two tickets to the movies to see the latest Disney film. For some people, "fun money" may seem of no real consequence. Our experience is that it is just these simple and seemingly easy acts of kindness that make all of the difference in the life of someone like Avi and his family.

So - when we received an email from Karyn London, the social worker who works on behalf of ATZUM (http://atzum.org), an excellent Israel-based organization dedicated to helping survivors of terror attacks, asking if the Good People Fund might be able to fund some special activities for Avi, the answer was an immediate, "Yes"! Karyn has just written to update us on Avi's condition and was happy to report that despite some physical and emotional setbacks, his first trip to the zoo was due to take place this week, soon to be followed by a therapeutic riding session and even some bowling! (he can sit on the floor and roll the ball).

As this picture shows, Avi did go to the zoo, accompanied by Karyn's son Yona, and we told Karyn to let us know when the first $150 in "fun money" is used...we know that donors will sign on to help us replenish this special mitzvah!