The Central Arava hosted more than 350 families from the northern part of Israel during the recent war. Arava residents took these guests into their homes and hearts, looked after them with love, and provided activities for their children. Now that the guests have returned to their homes, the people of the Arava are continuing to aid and support them.

“Southern Wind” is the name that has been adopted by the Central Arava for the aid campaign to the residents of the north. The residents of the Arava, together with the Regional Council, are proving that where there is a will, there is a way, and have found several ways to support the people in the north.

Revital Lobel, a second generation settler on Moshav Hazeva, was the first to take action, raising NIS 1,200 to buy 350 kits of games and presents for the children of Maale Yosef, while the war was still going on and the youngsters were still living underground in the shelters. Next on board were Yehudit Brin and Yael Alon, also from Hazeva, who collected baked goods for the people of Akko (Acre). When they traveled up to Akko to distribute the cakes, they were shocked to see how much more help was urgently needed. They returned home determined to see what they could do, and with help from residents in all of the settlements in the region, and the Regional Council, they managed to raise NIS 102,500!!! With these funds they purchased 600 food packages, equipment for babies, and games. On Sunday morning, Aug. 20th, a group of volunteers from the Arava drove north in 12 pick-up trucks and one school bus, and gave out all the packages, returning home weary but content late that evening.

The artists of the Arava are doing their part as well, volunteering a unique form of entertainment for the children of the north, combining the telling of an original story, accompanied by music and drawing. The activity is the brainchild of artist and illustrator Celia Yitzhak from Hazeva, with story and music provided by Menachem Koby and Roman Mordechovitz from Sapir, and on Monday, Aug. 21st the trio performed at three community centers in Haifa. The youngsters loved every minute, and enthusiastically colored in the drawings after the performance.

Many other good people from the Arava did what they could to help out:
  * Members of the Search and Rescue Unit helped locate fallen katyushas.
  * Arava ambulance drivers went north to assist in rescue efforts.
  * Arava farmers helped pick the crops of farmers.

Kol hakavod to each and every one!!!