The holiday’s are a time for giving. Over Hanukkah, it is a custom to give a present to friends, family members and loved ones. But there is also the stranger in our midst, who we should give to as well.

The joy of giving allows for a light to come into the world and dispel some of the darkness. And as Hanukkah is the festival of lights, we should think of giving the greatest gift one can – the gift of life.

Heart to Heart enables people the world over, Christians as well as Jews, to give the gift of life and play a powerful role in saving lives in Israel. By donating blood, whether actual blood or through a virtual blood donation, one can help support Israel’s paramedic, ambulance, and blood-banking organization,thereby saving a life of someone in need.

Israel’s ambulance services has emerged as the world’s most experienced mass-casualty response organization in the world, and a leader in emergency medical services — much to the benefit of everyone in Israel – Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Here are some stories of people who gave this most precious gift, that of life, and were difference makers in Israel in the past year.

The Gift of Life

On this holiday of giving, no one can give more than the gift of life itself. An actual blood donation is one of the greatest gifts one can give. If you aren’t in Israel, you can give a virtual blood donation, and help this important project.

Giving Back to the People Who Gave Us So Much

This is one of two videos featuring a Foursquare leadership mission in Israel that came to donate blood. The group, through their donation, affirmed how important donating blood is in general and especially as Christians. This video highlights the unique virtual blood donation opportunities with Heart to Heart for those not in Israel or eligible to donate blood.

Because So Much Blood Was Shed For Me

This is the second of two videos featuring a Foursquare leadership mission donating blood in Israel. This powerful and emotional video underscores the awareness that it is the root that nourishes the branches of life and how grateful Christians are to the Jewish people. The video illustrates the special way that the branch can also nourish the root.

You too can make a difference by donating, or simply by sharing the video and helping to get the word out there about the work that Heart to Heart is doing in Israel.