click image for more photos; courtesy Nancy Shurka

Friends of Yemin Orde (FYO), the U.S. fundraising arm of Yemin Orde Youth Village, has announced it received a $360,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor to help offset millions of dollars in rebuilding costs as the Village recovers from severe damage it sustained during a wildfire in northern Israel last December. This is the first time that FYO has received a challenge grant specifically designed for its special fire emergency fund. The fire destroyed 40 percent of the Village including key offices, classrooms, a library and residential homes. FYO also received a significant contribution from the Jewish National Fund to help rejuvenate the Village’s green space, which was scorched by the fire.

Michael Frieze, Chair, Friends of Yemin Orde Board of Directors, said the challenge grant will be matched on a dollar for dollar basis, up to a maximum of $90,000 per donor. Gifts earmarked specifically for the grant must be from new donors as well as donations of new dollars from current donors to Yemin Orde. The challenge grant expires April 10, 2012.

Current estimates have indicated it will take a total of $20 million and two years to rebuild the Village.

For more information visit yeminorde.org.