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Michael Bloomberg mentioned on Monday that he would donate practically $44 million to Magen David Adom, Israel’s nonprofit emergency medical service, after the Hamas assaults on civilians and troopers on Oct. 7.
The previous New York Metropolis mayor and billionaire philanthropist mentioned he deliberate to match contributions he solicited by way of an electronic mail enchantment for the American Buddies of Magen David Adom. The overall quantities to an $88 million present, the most important within the American group’s historical past.
“America has all the time been a good friend to Israel and I’m inspired that so many people are stepping as much as assist our ally throughout these difficult instances,” Mr. Bloomberg mentioned in an announcement. “It is very important present the world that we’re united in our condemnation of Hamas and dedicated to defending the well being and security of all Israelis.”
Magen David Adom, usually often known as the Israeli Pink Cross, features as Israel’s emergency medical system, blood financial institution and catastrophe response group. The brand new funds will assist purchase ambulances, medical gear and ballistic vests and helmets for emergency employees, mentioned Catherine Reed, chief govt of American Buddies of Magen David Adom. Final week, the group airlifted 17 new ambulances to Israel and plans to ship extra within the coming days.
Mr. Bloomberg has supported the group for a number of a long time, giving a number of million {dollars} to finance an emergency medical station and blood donation middle in Jerusalem named for his late father, William H. Bloomberg. He additionally funded a well being middle at Hadassah College Medical Heart devoted to his mom, Charlotte R. Bloomberg.
Nonetheless, his newest contribution is a major enlargement of efforts from a donor who has largely targeted his giving on home points, together with gun management, immigration and concrete coverage.
Mark Lebow, the chairman of the American Buddies of Magen David Adom and a longtime affiliate of Mr. Bloomberg, reached out to the previous mayor shortly after the assaults to ask for a monetary contribution. The size of the response to his request for matching presents stunned Mr. Bloomberg and his workforce, who initially anticipated elevating maybe 1 / 4 of the whole, in accordance with Mr. Bloomberg’s aides.
Over the 11 days of their enchantment, practically 34,000 donors gave. The giving spanned the nation, from massive donors funding ambulances to youngsters internet hosting bake gross sales and lemonade stand fund-raisers, the group mentioned.
“I don’t assume we ever imagined the match can be one thing like this,” Ms. Reed mentioned. “That is fairly a transformational present.”
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