In the trenches: Palm Beach fundraising dollars at work in Israeli rescue operations

If the supporters of Magen David Adom ― the Israeli first-response organization that hosts an annual fundraising gala in Palm Beach ― want to see their money at work, they don't have to look far.

"For anyone who wants to know where their donated dollars go, turn on the TV," said Tammy Karu, regional director and national director of strategic philanthropy for the American Friends of Magen David Adom, the US-based support group for MDA.

"Look at the Magen David Adom first responders loading victims into the state-of-the-art ambulances, using the latest EMS technology to save as many lives as possible."

Those ambulances ― each one literally an intensive care unit on wheels ― are bought with funds from local donors.

Lois Pope is one of them. The Manalapan resident has donated 16 state-of-the-art ambulances to MDA, making her the organization's largest non-Jewish donor.

More: Hundreds gather at Palm Beach Synagogue for 'We Stand With Israel' event

"I pray particularly for the safety and well-being of the courageous men and women of this critically important organization as they selflessly work to save the lives of all those in harm’s way," Pope said on Tuesday.

"And my thoughts and prayers go to the innocent people, families and children who have been killed, seriously wounded, or abducted."

Karu was at Temple Beth Shalom's vigil in Vero Beach and found it difficult to describe the horror.

According to Kaila Jones of TCPalm.com, who reported on the vigil, Karu said "Angrily, there are no words. Words cannot describe the feelings that we have today for Israel ... I stand before you with a heavy heart, and to let you know that our brothers and sisters, my colleagues at MDA, are in critical need."

Karu said she is receiving continuous photographs "from colleagues in Israel. Real time as it's happening, videos, photos. It is ugly ... what you see on the news doesn't even come close."

Magen David Adom is Israel's only government-mandated ambulance and emergency medical response organization.

Its annual Palm Beach fundraisers typically bring a sellout crowd to hear speakers like John Bolton, Nikki Haley, Bob Woodward, Ted Koppel and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak .

During Barak's speech at the 2014 gala, he focused on Israel’s international standing and the lifesaving impact of the organization in Israel.

“As a prime minister, army general and a civilian, I’ve seen with my own eyes the critical role Magen David Adom plays for the State of Israel,” Barak said. “MDA has saved the lives of many of my colleagues, both on and off the battlefield, and it’s fair to say that it’s one of the most important institutions in Israel."

Donations may be made by visiting www.AFMDA.org/donate.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has announced that he will match donations to the American Friends of Magen David Adom dollar-for-dollar at www.afmda.org/bloomberg-match.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Ambulances funded by annual Palm Beach gala part of Israeli rescue operations