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The Villages
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The Villages
Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Villages couple gifts much-needed fire truck to support first responders in Israel

Steve and Sharry Solomon

Villagers Steve and Sharry Solomon recently found a special way to show their support for the people of Israel.

The couple gifted a fire truck โ€“ a much-needed piece of equipment โ€“ to Israel through the Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA). The couple viewed it as the ultimate way for them to express their support.

โ€œWe have always looked for ways to help other people both here in the U.S. and Israel,โ€ Sharry said, as she reflected on the coupleโ€™s years of philanthropic work. โ€œProviding a fire truck through JNF-USA meant our gift could be felt every day by Israelis from all walks of life. Our gift is literally working 24/7 for the land and people of Israel.โ€

The bright red piece of equipment โ€“ Truck 406 โ€“ is stationed in Rishon Letzion, Israelโ€™s fourth largest city located just south of Tel Aviv. In 2019, Israelโ€™s Fire and Rescue Authorityโ€™s 1,700 professional firefighters responded to close to 100,000 calls across the country. From vehicle crashes to small kitchen fires, and blazes started by incendiary balloons flown into Israel from Gaza, the Jewish stateโ€™s firefighters usually are first on the scene.

This fire truck was donated to a city in Israel by Steve and Sharry Solomon through the Jewish National Fund-USA.

JNF-USA is the exclusive fundraising organization for Israelโ€™s Fire and Rescue Authority. Thanks to their support, American donors, synagogues, temples, and Jewish community groups have gifted more than 170 fire trucks that serve communities from Eilat in Israelโ€™s south to Kiryat Shmona in the north. In addition, 11 fire wagons (and counting) have been gifted by the JNF-USAโ€™s supporters to agricultural regions throughout the Gaza Envelope and Gush Etzion region.

Firefighters in Israel responded to close to 100,000 calls in 2019 and need equipment that can be donated through the Jewish National Fund-USA.

โ€œItโ€™s such a special feeling to see our fire truck out on the road helping Israelis in need,โ€ Steve said. โ€œThere has never been a more important time to support Israelโ€™s first responders and through our gift, we are providing world-class equipment to the brave Israeli men and women who save thousands of lives every year.โ€

โ€œThe great thing about giving is that you donโ€™t need to be wealthy to make an impact today,โ€ Sharry said. โ€œThis is especially true with JNF-USA, where you can give anywhere from $18 to plant a tree to a significant amount more to fund a medical center, water project or fire truck.โ€

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