Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS)

the Association for the Wellbeing ofIsrael's Soldiers (AWIS), is a non-profit organization giving serving soldiers the support & well being extras that the army could not afford to provide, and to demonstrate our gratitude for them serving our nation Ha'aguda Lema'an Hachayal- the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS), is a non-profit organization that was established in 1942 by Israel's founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. The Association's purpose is the same today as it was in Ben-Gurion's time, to give serving soldiers the support and wellbeing extras that the army itself could not afford to provide, and to demonstrate in practical ways our gratitude for their service to the nation. Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces are there to guard and defend the homeland of the Jewish people. Many of them make huge sacrifices in the carrying out of their National duty. Our organization provides a link between individual civilians, organizations, and corporate bodies that care about the wellbeing and comforts that can be provided to ease the lot of the serving soldier, and, in time of need, his family. AWIS is well respected in Israel for the diverse activities its' dedicated workers and volunteers carry out for the wellbeing of every soldier. The individual soldier benefits from AWIS programs and projects from his, or her, first day of national service until re-entering civilian life, then through reserve duty, whenever he or she is called upon. It provides each individual soldier with the sense that someone cares for them and is trying to ease the burden of what is their national duty. AWIS can be found in every corner of the state of Israel. The main headquarters is in Tel Aviv. There are three regional offices in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beer Sheba. Throughout the country are eighty branches so that every army base and installation has a representative of our organization nearby. Our commitment to our soldiers is shared by staunch supporters of the IDF from abroad, who are pivotal in providing the means to demonstrate that they, and we, care about the wellbeing of all our soldiers. Today, Israel is a thriving modern state with an impressive record of achievements in many spheres. However, the threat to its continued existence has not abated to this day, ever since the first settlers came to work on the land in the late nineteenth century. They came to recreate an independent Jewish state and a homeland for the Jewish people. The army is integral in the maintenance of a viable state. It is the moral duty of everyone who wants to see the continued existence and future development of the Jewish homeland to support the soldiers of the IDF and show them that we are with them in mind and spirit and want to do our utmost to identify with them in their national duty to defend the state. In practical terms, to donate towards any project that will ease the burden and provide a relief from their onerous responsibilities during their service to the nation.