The annual Gala featured food, friends and fun where player awards were handed out and the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation was launched. But even before the official introduction, the Foundation was hard at work inviting IDF veterans to the special evening who had been injured in operations over the last couple of decades. The former soldiers injured in the line of duty defending our country Israel, were treated to an extra special treat where they had the opportunity to enjoy meeting the players and taking plenty of pictures while also being seated with keeper Haviv Ohayon.
The veterans were also extremely thankful to the various donors that gave them the opportunity to take part in the event as Liran Baroch, one of the veterans explained: “This was an amazing experience. It’s been a long time since I felt so excited especially since I’ve been a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan my whole life. The players were so nice and having the master of ceremonies mention us made the event one that I’ll always remember. It means so much to all of us that you remembered us it was truly incredible.”
Lior Ben Porat commented as well about being at the Gala: “It was really a pleasant surprise to be invited to the Gala along with other injured veterans. As a fan from a very young age it was really special to have a chance to meet some of the players and professional staff and it took me back to the time when I was at Kiryat Shalom years ago meeting Avi Nimni, Shura and others. I want to thank you for this opportunity.”
Foundation Head Josh Halickman said: “We wanted to open the Foundation by honoring those who served and protected us. It was the least that we could do to say thank you to them for sacrificing themselves. I’m thrilled that they had a great time.”
