Pam (R) and volunteers working together 

Sandy Ganoung Hicks sent in this note about her former classmate, Pam Osserman-Bank:

We are so proud of our dear classmate Pam who, in the face of the terror of war, turned fear into help and hope. Incredible! She’s a Dwight girl for sure!

Here is her account of the project to help soldiers at war:

“On October 7th, 2023 our lives in Israel were turned upside down.  Instead of heading to a Bat Mitzvah party for my eldest granddaughter, we were heading for shelter as rockets were being fired on Israel by Hamas terrorists.  Reserve duty soldiers were called up as the immensity of the situation became apparent. 

The government had been asleep so husbands, brothers, and sons were going into battle with no basic necessities.  A video was released that requested healthy snacks that could be put in their pockets.  Dried fruits and nuts were the best solution for grabbing a bite of sugar and protein when a meal was not available.

Many of my friends from the US were writing to me via Facebook, concerned about our welfare and asking how they could help.  An initial donation was sent to me by a dear Dwightie who told me to find a good use for it.

Dried fruits and nuts!  I used the first donation to shop for the ingredients, making packets that could fit in any available pockets that the soldiers could find.  My living room became a factory!  Friends joined me, happy to feel useful in the impossible state we all found ourselves.  I made connections with people directly delivering inside of Gaza. As of the beginning of May we have made and donated over 18,500 Healthy Snack Bags!   After over 200 days and no end in sight, this tiny contribution to those who are leaving home and jobs and sometimes losing their lives to fight against evil is the least that I/we can do.  

More contributions keep arriving and we keep bagging.  My new name–The Bag Lady of Ramat Hasharon”