Miracles at Chanukah!

The landscape of the east side has changed from an empty parking area to a building site, and the noise of construction has accompanied daily life at the center for the past month.  We officially marked the beginning of the construction of the new Puppy Training and Development Center on Thursday, December 22^nd with a festive and moving cornerstone laying ceremony.

 

The ceremony was attended by over 80 staff members, graduates, volunteers, supporters, and officials.  Noach opened the ceremony by noting the significance of the date, which is adjacent to the first night of Chanukah when he first met Norman Leventhal, co-founder of the center in 1986, thirty years ago.  The main speaker at the ceremony was Shmuel Weinglass, Director of the National Insurance Institute Fund for the Development of Services for Persons with Disabilities that pledged financial support for the construction of the new campus. Michael Leventhal, Executive Director of the Friends Organization in the U.S. spoke on behalf of our Friends organizations abroad, and Haim Shwartz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the IGDCB spoke on behalf of the Board and Guide Dog users.  Among the many VIP's that attended were: Martin Segal, Executive Director of the UK Friends, Guy Simchi, Director of Disability Services for the Histadrut Labor Union, Michael Segal, Chairman of Eliya, Amos Beer, Director of the Central Library for the Blind, and Gila Zaidel from Ofek Liyladen. After the speeches and a short musical interlude guests lined up to sign the two scrolls – one of which was buried in the concrete foundations of the new building and the other which will be hung in the building upon its completion. 

It was a happy, emotional, and exciting day for everyone, and we are now looking forward to the day approximately a year from now when we cut the ribbon and dedicate the new campus!    

   

At Last - We are Beginning Construction!

We are beginning to build!

Trees have been cut down, fences have been removed, there is noise and there will be chaos on campus, but we are happy: the construction of the new kennels and Puppy Breeding and Development Center is finally beginning!

This coming Thursday we will be holding a festive cornerstone laying ceremony for the new kennel and puppy breeding and development center.  The ceremony will be attended by the staff, friends, supporters, Mike Leventhal, his wife Sue, and his son Joel who will be joining us from the United States, and Martin Segal, Director of British Friends who will be arriving from London.

We look forward to this giant step in the enter's expansion and development that will enable us to provide more guide dogs in the future!

Canvelo at the Sportiada's first Tandem Biking COmpetition

The Sportiada in Eilat is Israel's biggest sporting event.  The annual event, sponsored by the Hapoel Sport Association, is attended by thousands of athletes from dozens of companies and businesses throughout the country who compete in a large number of individual and team sports.  This year's Sportiada featured a new event: a two-day tandem cycling competition.  This is the first time in its 36-year history that the Sportiada has featured an event for athletes with disabilities.  The tandem race consequently constitutes a major landmark in the history of sports in Israel.  Approximately 50 couples participated in the race - an amazingly large number of tandem bikes even by international standards.  
The 100 tandem riders included cyclists from the three Central, Sharon, and Northern Canvelo cycling clubs, as well as riders from "Aynayim L'Shnayim" (Eyes for Two) - a group from the upper Galilee and "Galgal Or" (Wheel of Light) from the Lighthouse for the Blind near Haifa.
The 10 and 20 kilometer routes in the two races were equally challenging to those designated for single bike riders, and demanded high levels of technique and skill.  Riders had to cope with the rugged desert terrain that featured sand, gravel, steep climbs, dizzying downhill slopes, crevasses, and boulders.
Aside from the excitement, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that prevailed during the competition itself, the tandem biking event in the Sportiada made a significant impact upon the thousands of athletes gathered in Eilat for the event.  The presence of a dozen guide dogs at the opening ceremony drew a great deal of attention - exposing the thousands of athletes to the idea that people with disabilities can excel in sports and be part of the Sportiada as equal participants.
The introduction of the tandem cycling competition to the Sportiada was promoted by Brig. Gen. (ret) Moti Regev, founder of Canvelo,together with Yoram Aranstein, CEO of the Hapoel Sport Association, Prosper Ben-Hemo, president of Hapoel, and Avi Nisankorn, president of the Histadrut and Guy SImchi, a graduate of the IGDCB and head of the department for employing persons with disabilities in the Histadrut.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Canvelo!

Ten years ago Brig. General (ret) Moti Regev visited the center while riding in the area. He discovered two tandem bicycles that were being used by volunteers to ride with graduates of the center. Moti's idea of expanding the tandem biking activities soon became a reality. His idea and initiative led to the establishment of "Canvelo" – the Center's tandem biking club.
On Friday Canvelo celebrated its 10th anniversary with a ride through the Ben Shemen forest.  THis year the JNF has begun a project of planting and establishing a special grove for the blind in the forest and they are now in the process of building a special biking trail for tandem bikes called "Tovim Hashnayim" or "Two is Great".  All three Canvelo biking clubs from the center, Sharon area, and north participated in the ride, which took the bikers over rugged trails that climbed and descended through the forest.  A picnic lunch was served  at the end of the ride.
Canvelo offers a unique opportunity to engage in safe and supervised cycling activity, while traveling to different areas of the country and experiencing the feelings of pride, accomplishment, and belonging that group sports provide.   In many ways tandem biking is similar to working with a guide dog - involving the same skills of communication, trust, and cooperation between the two members of each tandem team that are so important when working with a guide dog.  The sighted volunteers who ride with their blind teammates are an outstanding example of the volunteering spirit - devoting themselves to making it possible for blind and visually impaired riders to get out and cycle.
Many members of the Canvelo cycling clubs will be participating in the Sportiada in Eilat, where teams from various companies and organizations will compete in a wide variety of sports events.  This year the Sportiada will feature a tandem biking race for the first time.
We wish Canvelo many more kilometers of biking together and making the sport of cycling accessable for blind and visually impaired riders.

Riders from all three Canvelo groups after the ride in the Ben Shemen Forest

Special congratulations are in order to Uri Basha, a graduate of the center, and Moti Rosen who completed the entire Epic Israel mountain biking competition on a tandem! The ride is undertaken by professional bikers and demands skill, stamina, and outstanding technique!

Uri Basha and Moti Rosen - Epic Israel on a tandem bike!

Shana Tova!

Best wishes for the coming year to all our friends in Israel and abroad!  Wishing you a year of fulfillment, health, success, and accomplishment! 

Gadi Yarkoni takes 9th Place in Rio Paralympics!

The Israeli marathon runner Gadi Yarkoni participated in the marathon run today in Rio, which was the closing event in the Paralympic games this year.  Gadi placed 9th in the race with a time of 3:05:25.  This was Yarkoni's second time participating in the Paralympic Games.  His record for the Marathon run is 2:48:56.  He came in 13th place in the marathon in London, finishing in 3:01:51, and ran the New York Marathon with Noach Braun in 2010.

 Gadi ran the marathon in Rio tethered to his trainer, Yosef Gazacho, who ran alongside him or behind him throughout the marathon.  Escort runners are not allowed to run in front of a blind runner in order that they not pull them forward in any way.

 Yarkoni, 41, lost his vision in 1993 while fighting against the Hizballah in Lebanon.
He is a graduate of the center who received his first guide dog in 1996.  He was partnered with his fourth guide dog Butch, a yellow Labrador, in November of 2015.

We are proud of Gadi and the other Israeli athletes and their fine accomplishments!  Kol Hakavod!

Gadi and Noach running the New York City Marathon in November, 2012

Gadi Yarkoni and Elon Brachfeld running in the Ro'im Rahok event, 2012

Gadi and his guide dog Butch, 2015

Our Bikers - From London to Slovenia

The central club of Canvelo has just returned from a week-long biking excursion to Slovenia.  The group consisted of 13 sighted riders, 9 blind riders, and several single bikers – 27 riders in all.  The first three days of the trip were in an area east of the capital city of Lubiana, and the final three days were in Bled in the western area of the country.  The routes took the bikers over scenic mountains and valleys. 

Eli Yablonek, one of the blind riders who took part in the excursion, summarized the trip in one word: "Terrific!"  Eli described the week as the best excursion the group has had so far.  "There was a lot of comeraderie, a great atmosphere, and wonderful routes."  Eli also commended the organizers Moti Regev, Tova Yanovsky, and Roni Dik as well as the volunteers who were extremely helpful throughout the trip and Ilan Sivan who maintained the tandem bikes throughout the trip (without a single flat tire!) .  Eli particularly enjoyed taking his guide dog Glen along.  "There was lots of togetherness and a great atmosphere.  We're waiting for next year!"  

Canvelo Riders in Slovenia: "The best excursion so far!"

Meanwhile, Martin Segal, the Executive Director of the British Friends of the IGDCB recently took part in and completed the Prudential Ride London / Surrey 100-mile cycle challenge and raised over £1,500 for the Centre.  Martin said he was proud to have completed this challenge to help raise much needed funds and awareness for the IGDCB.  This year Martin completed the ride in 6 hours and 35 minutes, and next year he plans to do it again and take at least 30 minutes off his time!    The

Martin (in yellow jersey at  left) crossing the finish line at Buckingham Palace

Latest News about Our Staff

Lots of advancements and changes are taking place in the center staff this year!  In August we said goodbye to Eli Ben-Boher, who has been working at the center since 2003.  Eli was in charge of our puppy raisers, and also contributed a great deal to the center with his wonderful talent as a photographer.  We wish Eli and his family success in the future!

Dana Halperin has replaced Eli as director of our puppy raisers.  Dana traveled to Great Britain last June to enrich her training with Britich Guide Dogs and learned a lot that she will need to know in her new job.  We wish her success!  

Vered, who was originally designated to be an apprentice trainer together with Hilla Ben Meir, will instead be joining Dana as part of the puppy raising staff and will be certified in April, 2017.. 

Meanwhile, congratulations are in order to Hilla Ben Meir, who has completed the theoretical portion of her three – year training as a guide dog trainer and mobility instructor. 

Congratulations also to Yoav has completed his training and is now a full-fledged guide dog trainer and mobility instructor! 

We also welcome Yelena, who has joined the kennel staff.

Congratulations to all and success in your work!

Photos: Dana in the UK, Vered, Hila, and Yoav at work

Small Kids Raise a Big Contribution!

Most schools celebrate every child's birthday during the year by asking each child to bring a small gift to every other child in the class - a custom that adds up to a significant outlay for parents, and often results in a lot of small but superfluous gifts for the children.  This year Ronit Shachar's first grade class at the A.D. Gordon School in Herzliya decided to do something different - they opted, together with their parents, to donate half of the birthday money to charity.  After searching on the Internet for a suitable charity, preferably something having to do with dogs, they found us.  

Yesterday Bracha brought Dinka to Ronit's 1st grade class to speak to the children and to thank them for their contribution of NIS 3600.  These kids not only know a lot more about the importance of guide dogs for the blind, but have also assimilated the importance of giving to others.  Kol Hakavod to Ronit, the parents, and the first graders!  The card says: "We, the pupils of the first grade class of the A.D. Gordon School, present you with this contribution that we collected from our birthday fund throughout the year - NIS 3600.  We ask that you use this money for guide dogs to help the blind.   Thank you for your cooperation!

24 שעות ללא חוש הראייה Twenty - Four Hours Without Seeing

מאמנים ומדריכים במרכז עוברים מסלול הכשרה שממשיך שלוש שנים.  המסלול נקבע על ידי הפדרציה הבינלאומית לכלבי נחייה וכולל מטלות לימודיות רבות.  אחת המטלות היא ללכת עם כיסויעיניים במשך 24 שעות ולבצע מטלות יומיומיות - ללא חוש הראייה. 

לפני חודש יואב והילה, שני מדריכים שלנו בשלבים שונים של ההכשרה, בצעו את המשימה להיות 24 שעות עם כיסויי עיניים.  הם שהו במרכז בחדרי האירוח, קיבלו כלב נחייה לעבוד איתו  וחוו לזמן קצר  את אותן החוויות שהקליינטים שלנו מתמודדים בהן כשהם מגיעים לקורס במרכז. 

להלן ההתרשמויות של הילה אחרי התרגיל. 

לפני תחילת התרגיל החלטתי שהמחשבה שתנחה אותי במהלך 24 השעות בכיסוי עיניים תהיה להנות מהתרגיל , לקחת גם את הקשיים בצורה חיובית וכמובן כמה שיותר להתייחס אליו כחוויה לימודית .

התחלנו את התרגיל ביום ראשון בארוחת הצהריים.  החוויה  היתה נעימה.  כמובן מאתגר לאכול ללא יכולת לראות.  חשבתי על כל הארוחות בהן ישבתי יחד עם אנשים בקורסים.  

ההיכרות המוקדמת עם החדר עזרה לי באופן משמעותי.  בעת ההתארגנות בחדר חשבתי עד כמה זה חשוב לשמור על הסדר.

כשהכניסו את הכלבה דיוה לחדר, הרגשתי קצת איך הקליינט מרגיש כשמכניסים את הכלב לחדר בפעם הראשונה.  רציתי  ליצור קשר איתה, אבל חוסר היכולת לראות אותה יצר מעט ניתוק.  נוכחות של הכלבה יותר מורגשת אם היא נגשת מיד. 

הנסיעה ברכב בכיסויי עיניים משרה תחושה של חוסר שליטה, והבנתי מדוע רועי נוהג להעביר לחברי הקורס מידע אודות היעד אליו אנחנו נוסעים.  ההליכה עם דיוה ברחוב לא מוכר היתה בשבילי חוויה טובה ואף מעצימה.   ביום השני יצאנו שוב למסלול וההליכה היתה טובה, עם קצב מתאים. היה כביש סואן לידי, וכל משאית,  אופניים שעברו מולי במהירות, ושינויי הקצב של דיוה קצת הבהילו אותי.  לרגע שכחתי את יכולותיי כמאמנת והתמודדתי עם המצב יותר כלקוחה.  שאר התרגילים היו מאוד מעניינים והקנו לי עוד ידע , כלים ונסיון להבנת הלקוח.  הם הוסיפו להבנה שלי כיצד מתמודדים עם צמתים וחציות והשימוש החשוב בחוש השמיעה. 

עברתי גם שיעור ניידות עם מקל עם נתנאל שהיה מעשיר מאוד.  הרגשתי שהמקל פחות נוח מאשר כלב נחייה, אך הבנתי את היתרונות שיש לעזר ניידות זה , בעיקר הקלות שבה ניתן לקפל אותו או לפתוח אותו בעת הצורך.

החוויה של כיסויי העיניים היתה חיובית מאוד. אני חושבת שהחוויה הזו הכרחית לכל מי שעובד במקצוע. ההתמודות ולו במעט עם מה שהלקוחות שלנו חווים מעצימה ומחזקת את כל התכונות שמדריך זקוק להן: אמפטיה, סובלנות,  ומודעות.  היממה שחוויתי ללא חוש הראייה העצימה לי את ההבנה שבשביל אנשים עם עיוורון שום דבר אינו מובן מאליו.  הדברים הכי קטנים דורשים הרבה מחשבה ויש צורך להסתגלות מנטלית ופיזית.  החוויה העשירה את ארגז הכלים שלי כמדריכה וכמאמנת לעתיד. 

Trainers and instructors at the center undergo a three – year training period.  The training course and assignments are determined by the International Guide Dog Federation and include numerous learning tasks.   One of these tasks is to spend 24 hours blindfolded and to perform daily tasks and navigate without seeing.

Yoav and Hilla, two future instructors in training at the center, spent 24 hours blindfolded.  They stayed in the guest rooms at the center, received a guide dog to work with, and experienced – for a short time – what our clients cope with when they arrive at the center to receive a guide dog.

Hila described her experiences during the 24 hours she spent blindfolded:

Before the exercise began I decided that I would enjoy the exercise, undertake the difficulties in a positive way, and that I would relate to the entire task as a learning experience.

The task began at lunch on the first day.  It was pleasant, but challenging to eat without being able to see.  I was reminded of all the meals during which I sat with people during courses.  

I found the task of getting organized in my room extremely helpful.  I was immediately aware that it would be extremely important to make sure to keep everything in a precise place. 

When they brought my dog Diva into my room I was able to experience how clients feel when they meet their dog for the first time.  I wanted to make contact with her, but my inability to see made me feel somewhat alienated.  It is easier to sense the dog's presence if it approaches you immediately.

I felt a lack of control while riding in the car blindfolded.  I realized just why Roee makes sure to tell clients where we are going when we are driving to town during the course.  Walking down an unfamiliar street with Diva was a wonderful empowering experience.  During the second day we took another route, and it was a good walk at the right pace.  There was a busy street next to me and every truck and cyclist that passed me by and every change in Diva's pace scared me.   For a moment I forgot my abilities as a trainer and dealt with the situation as a client.  The other exercises were very interesting and offered me more tools, knowledge, and experiences for understanding clients.  These exercises helped me understand how to deal with busy intersections and crosswalks, as well as the importance of using one's sense of hearing.

 Netanel El Baz, a certified trainer and mobility instructor at the center, gave me a mobility lesson using a white mobility cane that was extremely enlightening.  I felt that the cane was much less comfortable than a guide dog, but I understood how convenient a cane is, since it can be folded up and opened when needed.     

The experience of living blindfolded for a day was extremely positive, and I think that it is essential for anyone working in the profession.    Coping with what our clients experience – even for a short time – strengthens and intensifies empathy, tolerance, and awareness - all traits that a guide dog mobility instructor needs.   The 24 hours that I spent without seeing helped me better understand that people who are blind take nothing for granted.  Even the smallest things require a lot of thought as well as physical and mental adapting.  The experience gave me valuable tools as a future trainer and instructor.

Hila walking down a city street with Diva הילה בהליכה בעיר עם דיוה 

יואב מלביש רתמה לכלב Yoav putting a harness on his dog

מה חדש בחנות המזכרות שלנו? ?What's New in Our Gift Shop

אנו שמחים להצגע מספר מוצרים חדשים, אותם ניתן לרכוש בחנות המתנות של המרכז:

• סל קניות רב שימושי – סל קניות מתקפל לתוך שקית קטנה עם רוכסן שניתן להכניס לתרמיל או לתיק.  הסל עשוי מבד ניילון ומקושט בנקודות בצבעי צהוב, כתום וירוק עם הלוגו החדש של המרכז.  שם  המרכז מודפס בשני צידי הסל בעברית ובאנגלית. התיקים נתרמו על ידי גב' טובה ינובסקי, מתנדבת במרכז.   מחיר: 30 ₪
• פאזלים לילדים עם תמונות  חמודות של גורים שצילם אלי בן-בוחר.  הפאזלים מגיעים  בשתי רמות קושי: 99 חלקים ו - 20 חלקים.  מחירכל פאזל: - 40 ₪.  
• חולצות פוטר עם הלוגו החדש של המרכז:  החולצות מגיעות  במבחר צבעים:  שחור, אפור, וכחול בגדלים M, L, ו-XL. מחיר החולצות: 60 ₪.
• חולצות שרוול קצר מבד נושם עם הלוגו החדש של המרכז.  החולצות מגיעות בצבע ורוד וטורקייז. 
• חולצות כותנה בצבעים כחול בהיר, כחול כהה, וטורקיז.  40 ₪.  החולצות מגיעות  בגדלים M, L, ו-XL.    

אנו מודים לגב' טובה ינובסקי, מתנדבת במרכז, שתרמה את סלי הקניות, ולסטודיו "ג'יראף" שעיצבו את הלוגו החדש ותרמו את כל העיצוב הגרפי של כל המוצרים.

Several new items are now available in the gift shop at the Center:

• Nylon totebags are decorated with the center's logo and green, yellow, and orange dots.  The bag folds up into a small  zippered pouch that can easily be carried in a purse or backpack.  Price: NIS 30
• Fun jigsaw puzzles for children feature photos of our puppies by Eli Ben Boher: The puzzles are available in two levels of difficulty: 20 pieces and 99 pieces.  Price per puzzle: 40 NIS.
• Sweatshirts with the center's new logo are available in blue, black, and gray with logo on the front and back.  Sizes M, L, and XL.  Price: NIS 60.
• T-shirts with the center's new logo:  Dry weave V-neck in hot pink and blue, NIS 50.
•  Cotton scoop neck T shirts in sky blue, marine blue, and turquoise, NIS 40.  T-shirts are available in M, L, and XL.

We want to thank Tova Yanowsky, a volunteer at the center, who donated the tote bags, and Giraffe Graphic Studios who donated their time and work to design the new logo and all the graphics of these products!

תיק מתקפל רב שימושי  Tote Bag 

חולצת פוטר עם הלוגו החדש של המרכז Sweatshirt with the Center's new logo

20 - piece jigsaw puzzle פאזל של צילום גור 20 חלקים 

99 - piece puppies and kitten jigsaw puzzle פאזל של גורים וחתלתול 99 חלקים 

Purim at the Center פורים במרכז

This week the staff at the center celebrated Purim.  Here are a few photos from the party.  Thanks to Eli Ben Boher, to took these wonderful photos!

.אתמול צוות המרכז חגגו את פורים!  תודה לאלי בן בוחר על התמונות

מעשים טובים Good Deeds

On March 8th our Director of Puppy-raising Families Dana Halperin held an evening for our puppy raisers in Be'er Sheva.  The evening was attended by about 30 volunteers who are raising puppies from two months of age to a year. The evening featured a talk with Yariv Zribi, a graduate of the center who brought his guide dog Lichi. He spoke with the families and answered their questions. This was followed by a short film from a guide dog school in Switzerland and a talk by Orna about the world of a guide dog puppy and important aspects of puppy raising. The evening concluded with an activity led by Dana about the traits of a guide dog.  The event was extremely successful. We hope to hold more such evenings for puppy raisers in the future. 

International Good Deeds Day was celebrated this year in Israel on March 15th. 2016 marks the 10th year that this day of volunteering has taken place worldwide. The day is observed by people who devote themselves to good deeds, volunteering, and doing something for others or for the planet.  On Tuesday of this week Noach, Gal-li (our Volunteer Coordinator), and volunteers were at the Rishonim School in Nes Tsiona. There has been a long connection for many years between this school and the center.  The youngsters learned about guide dogs, took blind-folded walks with the simulator and sold items from the center to raise money.  Photos below show adoptive families and their dogs at the seminar in Be'er Sheva and children at the school in Nes Tziona.

Here's a way to continue good deeds and giving throughout the year!  For those living in Israel, there is now a way to donate to the center each month through "Igul L'Tova".  Many purchases that we make with a credit card are not in even Shekels.  By joining "Igul L'Tova" you can automatically donate the leftover agorot to the center each month.  For example, if you make a purchase of 78 Shekels and 60 Agorot, the amount is rounded off to 79 Shekels, and the 40 Agorot are donated to the center.  Each month you will receive a summary of the money you have donated in your credit card report, and your donation will be transferred to the Center anonymously.  It sounds like petty change…but lots of purchases each month by lots of people will add up!  To join "Igul L'Tova" visit the following link and follow the simple directions to join.

ביום שלישי, 8 למרץ, דנה הלפרין ואורנה בראון, ממחלקת המשפחות האומנות, העבירו יום עיון למשפחות בבאר שבע. 

כ-30 משפחות אומנות לגורים מגיל חודשיים עד שנה השתתפו בערב. 

התוכנית כללה מפגש עם יריב זריבי, בוגר המרכז, שהגיע עם כלבתו ליצ'י וענה על שאלות המשפחות. 

אורנה הקרינה סרט ונתנה הרצאה קצרה על עולמו של גור נחיה והדגשים לגידולו. 

לאחר מכן דנה עשתה הפעלה קצרה על התכונות של כלב נחייה. 

היה ערב מוצלח ופורה ואנו מקווים כי נעשה עוד הרבה ערבים כאלו בעתיד. 

השנה היא השנה העשירית בה חוגגים את יום המעשים הטובים, ובישראל חגגו את יום המעשים הטובים הבינלאומי ב- 15 למרץ.  אנשים ברחבי העולם מציינים את היום במעשים טובים, התנדבות ועשייה למען אחרים ולמען כדור הארץ. 

ביום שלישי השבוע, נח בראון, מנכ"ל המרכז, גל לי דנון, האחראית על מתנדבים במרכז, וקבוצת מתנדבים ביקרו בבית ספר "הראשונים" בנס ציונה.  התלמידים למדו על כלבי נחיה, התנסו בהליכה עם מכשיר "דוג סים" ומכרו מוצרים כדי לגייס כסף למרכז.

מצורפות תמונות מהפעילות בבאר שבע ומהיום בבית ספר "הראשונים" בנס ציונה.

המעשים הטובים יכולים להימשך כל השנה!  מעכשיו יש דרך חדשה וקלה לתרום למרכז הישראלי לכלבי נחיה – "עיגול לטובה".  הרבה קניות  שאנו מבצעים בכרטיס האשראי מסתכמות בסכומים שאינם שקלים שלמים.  "עיגול לטובה" מאפשר לך לעגל כל קנייה לשקל הקרוב ביותר, ולתרום את האגורות שנשארו לעמותה לפי בחירתך.  למשל, אם קניתם ב-78 שקלים ו-60 אגורות, תשלמו 79 שקלים, ו-40 האגורות שיעוגלו יועברו למרכז לכלבי נחיה.    בכל חודש תקבלו בדו"ח כרטיס האשראי שלכם את הסכום שתרמתם, והכסף יועבר למרכז שלנו בעילום שם.  זה נשמע כמו כסף קטן...אבל כשיצטברו הרבה קניות והרבה תורמים - נגיע כבר לסכומים משמעותיים!

להצטרפות ל"עיגול לטובה" היכנסו נא לקישור הזה

Canvelo Riding and Planting רוכבי כן ולא רוכבים ונוטעים

השבוע כל קבוצות "כן ולא" התאחדו לרכיבה ביער בן שמן ליד מודיעין.  הרכיבה הייתה אירוע ראשון מתוך סדרת אירועים לציון 10 שנים להיווסדות "כן ולא".  הרכיבה הייתה רכיבת שטח באורך של 20 קילומטרים והסתיימה בטקס נטיעות שנערך על ידי אנשי קק"ל.  הרוכבים נטעו שתילים באחד השבילים המונגשים לעיוורים ב"חורשת העיוורים".  באותו האזור יוקם מגרש משחקים לילדים עיוורים ולקויי ראייה, מפות ושלטים בכתב ברייל, ואזור הרצה לכלבי נחייה.  בספטמבר הקבוצה תחנוך את שביל "טובים השניים" – שביל שהוא סינגל ייחודי לאופני טנדם. 

בינתיים, במרכז קיבלו את פניהם של מרטין סיגל וג'ון בינימין שהגיעו מאנגליה לביקור.  מרטין וג'ון הביאו אתם ארבעה נוסעים מיוחדים – 4 גורי נחייה שנתרמו על ידי הארגון לכלבי נחייה באנגליה!  בצילום רואים את רולו, פינאט, סוקס ורוקט כשהם מקבלים חיבוק חם מאורנה, נח, ג'ון ומרטין.. תודה לכולם שעזרו בגידול הגורים, ובהבאתם ארצה! 

This week all the groups of Canvelo met for a bike ride in the Ben Shemen Forest near Modi'in.  The ride was the first of a series of events that will take place this year to mark the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of Canvelo.  The bikers rode a 20-kilometer route and then met for a tree-planting ceremony conducted by representatives of the JNF.    The riders planted trees and shrubs along one of the accessable paths in the "Grove for the Blind".  The area will include a playground for blind and visually impaired children, maps and signs in Braille, and a fenced-in park for guide dogs.  In September the group will dedicate the "Tovim HaShnayim" (Two is Better) single bike path designed especially for tandem bicycles.

Meanwhile, at the Center the staff hosted Martin Segal, Director of the British Friends, and President of the British Friends Jon Benjamin.  Martin and Jon brought four special passengers with them from the U.K. – four guide dog puppies that were donated by the British Guide Dog Association.  The photo shows Peanut, Rollo, Sox, and Rocket being cuddled by Orna, Noach, Jon, and Martin.  Our thanks to everyone who helped raise the puppies and bring them to Israel!