Lone Soldier Project
Since 1948, Israel has faced continuous threats from terrorist organizations and neighboring hostile nations. To defend their homeland against these existential threats, Israeli citizens are required to serve a term of duty in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Among these troops is a dedicated group of foreign warriors known as Lone Soldiers. Though not Israeli citizens by birth, Lone Soldiers still volunteer to serve, dedicating their lives to protecting the people and land of Israel. There are nearly 7,000 Lone Soldiers currently serving in the IDF. They come from every corner of the globe, leaving behind homes and families, to defend Israel. Lone Soldiers undergo the same rigorous training and serve in the same vital combat roles as native Israeli soldiers, proving that that they are an essential component of the security of the nation.
But unlike their comrades, Lone Soldiers lack the presence of nearby family support. While their fellow soldiers are able to reunite with family on weekends, holidays, and off-duty hours, Lone Soldiers have no one to provide the love, care and support that soldiers so desperately need during their service. Though dedicated warriors, many of them struggle to obtain the basic needs of life that a loving family would typically provide.
To meet this need and make a lasting difference, IMSI started the Lone Soldier Project in 2022. Our goal is to build/purchase a long-term home for Lone Soldiers that will provide them with all the necessities of life throughout their years of service. An IMSI team, consisting of a husband and wife, will staff the home and love and care for these soldiers. Among other services, the team will provide warm meals, laundry and cleaning services, emotional support, and a peaceful and hospitable home where they can rest and recover before returning to duty. Our dream is to give these soldiers a loving environment that demonstrates IMSI’s heart for Israel.
october 7th Response
Since the horrific terror attack on October 7th, the situation in Israel has drastically changed. IMSI responded immediately to this crisis by deploying multiple support teams to Israel. In the midst of war, and under rocket fire from Hamas, our teams brought life-sustaining support to IDF soldiers, civilian security teams, and communities on the confrontation lines by providing food, cold-weather clothing, medical equipment, personal protective gear, and security camera systems. The IMSI teams responding to this crisis consisted primarily of US military veterans with experience serving in combat zones around the world.
During these trips, our teams met with over 1,000 IDF soldiers, face to face, to encourage them and demonstrate IMSI’s love for the Israeli people. Whether we were providing body armor and helmets to civilian security teams in at-risk communities or buying a cup of coffee for soldiers as they headed towards the combat zones, it was readily apparent that every Israeli we interacted with was genuinely moved by our support. They were extremely grateful for the material items we gave, but even more touched by the love and support demonstrated by the IMSI teams. We continue to respond to the ongoing crisis in Israel by deploying teams on the ground every two to three months to evaluate the situation and ask the question dearest to our hearts, “How can we help?”
