These soldiers spread light all year long

The “Super Volunteer”

Meet Corporal Rafael, also known as the “super volunteer,” he gives up the weekend to volunteer for four nonprofit organizations. “This is what gives me energy for next week and puts a big smile on my face.” After a long week as an Armored Corps soldier, it would be easy for Cpl. Rafael to go home for the weekend and rest, but he’s always on the run. “When I get home from the army I grab my bag and run to volunteer,” said Cpl. Rafael.

The “LEGO Man” who puts a smile on pediatric cancer patients’ faces

Maj. Maor began playing with LEGOs at the age five and at age 30 his passion resurfaced, “I collected a lot of LEGO sets and at a certain point they took over the whole house,” he said. Maj. Maor started accumulating LEGO sets, and thanks to his friend’s suggestion, he realized that they could give him a great opportunity to help children. He volunteers with pediatric cancer patients and can’t imagine his life without them. “I know the children and what each of them likes. One day, a boy who had been undergoing chemotherapy asked the doctor to hospitalize him. When the doctor asked why, he answered  ‘Because I want Maor to come and bring me a LEGO.’ That day I surprised him at his house with a LEGO set.”

The IDF’s volunteer soldiers

Volunteer soldiers are people who are exempt from Israel’s mandatory service law because they suffer from medical issues, but decide to serve in spite of them. “Each one of us knows that he or she has more abilities than a limits, and even an ability that not many people have, the ability to cope with, fight, and defeat our own limitations. We are volunteers, we are soldiers, we enlist to the IDF because it’s all of our army and anyone who is able to take part in giving back to the people and the State of Israel should do so,” said Cpl. Maayan, a volunteer soldier.

The soldier who brings joy to the oncology ward

An oncology ward is not a place that people want to be in, but for the past three years, Sergeant Y, who serves in the Intelligence Corps, has been making it a better place. Twice a week, Sgt. Y spends time with the children of Zichron Menachem, an organization that helps pediatric cancer patients and their families.  For Sgt. Y, this isn’t just a volunteer position, it’s personal. “We are good friends and they even join in my family’s events and celebrations,” said Sgt. Y.