Denver-based Interfaith Partnership Announces New Humanitarian Project: Supporting Kids Under Fire - A safe biking program for children living near the Gaza Strip

DENVER (January 7, 2008) - Did you know that Israeli children living in villages near the Gaza Strip are at daily risk from terrorists' rocket fire? In 2007 alone, some 2,000 Kassam rockets and mortars from Gaza were fired at Israeli towns and communities making it unsafe for children to play outdoors. As a result, families are spending considerable time confined in bomb shelters and other "safe" rooms.

In response to this increasingly desperate situation, Denver-area organizations -- coordinated by ActionIsrael, a grassroots, interfaith organization -- have come together to form Supporting Kids Under Fire. This exciting new program will provide safe, outdoor exercise for Israeli children, supplying bikes and helmets and bringing them to safe bike paths not too far from their communities but beyond the Kassam's reach.

Supporting Kids Under Fire is currently welcoming donations.* All funds will go directly towards the purchase of new bicycles, helmets, and other equipment to be procured in Israel to form the basis for a fun and educational program led by volunteers.

According to ActionIsrael Project Coordinators Hazel Melmed and Joan Baronberg, "Through this program, children from towns and villages near the Gaza Strip will have the opportunity to enjoy consistent, healthy, safe, and stress-reducing experiences on established safe biking paths."

To kick-start this humanitarian project, Supporting Kids Under Fire will host a special event with a guest speaker on Sunday, February 10th, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Bicycle Village in Aurora and invites the public to come learn more about this new project. All attendees will receive a one-day only discount on purchases at the store. In addition, Bicycle Village will donate 5% of all sales at the event to Supporting Kids Under Fire.

Tax-deductible donations may be brought to the event or mailed at any time to:
ActionIsrael,
P.O. Box 18040, Denver, CO 80218.
Please write Kids Under Fire on the memo line of your check.

Special Event: Supporting Kids Under Fire
Sunday, February 10th, 1:00-4:00 pm
Bicycle Village, 2802 South Havana Aurora, 303-750-1064. bicyclevillage.com

Supporting Kids Under Fire is a community partnership of: ActionIsrael, Aish Denver, AJF, BBYO, Bicycle Village, BMH-BJ, DAT, EDOS, HEA, Loup JCC, and Stand by Israel. For more information, email actionisrael@frii.com.

Bicycle Village is Colorado's largest bike shop with five locations offering a wide selection of bikes, components, accessories, and clothing, as well as professional service and bike fitting departments.