Thursday, January 12, 2011. Lone Soldier Center volunteers went to visit lone soldiers from the Golani brigade in the Country Club in Raanana. The volunteers met the soldiers, helped them understand their rights and privileges, spoke to their commanders, and made sure they had a good time.

During basic training, parents are invited to see the base and speak to the commanders. On those days, Varda Ovadia and her team send the Lone Soldiers to the country club in Raanana to enjoy the pool, gym and just plain relaxation. The Lone Soldier Center sends its volunteers to help organize the event and to help the soldiers with whatever they need outside of military life.

By going out to meet the soldiers, the Lone Soldier Center makes sure they feel comfortable enough to call when they need something. On this specific day, 3 lone soldiers stated that they were missing furniture at home. Moreover, all were happy to find out that there was a new office in Tel Aviv, and that they were more than welcome to come visit, to get information, to speak to someone or just to get a cup of coffee (which is always brewing at the office). With the help of our volunteers, the three soldiers who were missing furniture at home will be getting it by the weekend.

Friday March 15 Join our Lone Soldiers Team in the International Jerusalem Marathon 2012!

Why Run with the Lone Soldier Center?
- Run for a good cause: support Israel’s lone soldiers!
- Get a discount on your registration fee!
- Run with our awesome team of lone soldiers and volunteers!
- Get a personal fundraising page and if you raise 500 NIS or more, your registration fee will be reimbursed!

Here’s how you can sign up:
1) Contact sara@lonesoldiercenter.com to get the link to the Lone Soldier Center’s Jerusalem Marathon
registration login.

2) Register and pay for the marathon. (You get a special group rate and if you sign up before January 31,
you get an additional discount!) You must register by March 3, 2012!!

3) Get your own personal fundraising page and send it to your family and friends! If you raise 500 NIS or more,
we will reimberse your registration fee!

Sign up today! Contact Sara@lonesoldiercenter.com

Chanukkah wouldn’t have been complete without many celebrations through the Lone Soldier Center all around Israel. Away from their families at home, many lone soldiers enjoyed the holiday with the warm and welcoming community at the Center.

The Chanukkah party in Jerusalem took place on December 22nd at the Melach Bar Bar pub. Soldiers and volunteers were treated with delicious food, holiday doughnuts called “sufganiot,” and drinks. All of the participants joined together for the lighting of the Chanukkiah. The soldiers were definitely appreciative of the opportunity to celebrate Chanukkah. With music in the background and the excitement of the holiday all around, the evening was filled with a great atmosphere. To add to all the socializing, eating, drinking, and meeting new people, the Lone Soldier Center organized a raffle. The raffle’s lucky winners received prizes appropriate for IDF soldiers, like neck warmers, candy, and more supplies that would be greatly appreciated at the army bases.

The Center thanks the Melach Bar Bar pub, who hosted the event that night at their entertaining facility. Also, the hard work by many volunteers to organize the event was noticed by all. The lone soldiers enjoyed a special night of Chanukkah with the Lone Soldier Center, which always acts as a second home for them during the holidays.

Since these draftees are living in Israel without their close families and friends from their home countries, the drafting process can be confusing and discouraging. The Lone Soldier Center has met their goal to help these future soldiers succeed. With the knowledge and support that the Pre-Draft seminar provided, lone soldiers will enter the army confidently and comfortably, reassured of the helpful resources from the Center.

It was a wonderful event for soldiers to meet new people, reunite with good friends, and treat themselves to a well-deserved movie night.

A special thanks to Heseg for working together with us to put together this great evening.

The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin would like to wish all the soldiers a BeHatzlacha!!