Dear Friends

My name is Ori Kagan, I am an Israeli filmmaker and head of Kagan Productions, an international board game marketing agency. As an active member of the board game community, I've witnessed and experienced the power of board games in uniting friends and families and offering comfort in tough times.

Many of you are aware of the brutal terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, where 1400 people were killed, many wounded, and 239 were kidnapped and now held hostage in Gaza. Among the survivors is our team member, Sapir. Up until the attacks, Sapir, her husband and their two sets of twins were living in Kibbutz Sufa, near the Gaza border. They are now displaced from their homes and have been relocated to southern Israel where they are housed in guesthouses and motels.

In these times of crisis, we all wonder how we can help, and since the attack, countless Israeli volunteers have come to help with food, clothes, medical and emotional help. When I asked Sapir if there was any way that I could help, her reply was simple yet profound: “Can you get us some board games?”

It didn't surprise me. In central Israel, where my family and I face daily missile barrages, board games have been our refuge in the bomb shelter, keeping my 4 and 6-year-olds engaged and helping us maintain our sanity.

I immediately bought and sent games to Sapir, opening my eyes to the broader need. Within a day, we identified 14 families from her kibbutz whom we could also help. We ran to purchase games while making sure we were choosing the right games for the right families and age groups.

 
- The first batch of board games to support 14 families. They just arrived there, with hopefully more to come.

But this is just the beginning. There are tens of thousands of people who are displaced. With a modest initial goal of $5,000, we aim to support 50 families, starting with Kibbutz Sufa and expanding further. We view this as only the first step. If this works, we want to expand the help we are providing.

Your support means more than just a donation; it’s a beacon of hope and joy in these families' lives. Please spread the word—our strength lies in our community’s collective effort.
Our dream is far and wide, the more money we raise, the more families will get hand-picked games, delivered with love by Israeli volunteers.

 - Volunteers playing with displaced kids from the south. Picture by Cobi Stien

Board games can truly save lives by bringing light into darkness. This is our hour to make a difference.

All donations are tax-deductible through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Your full donation (minus cc fees) will go to buying games and delivering them to the families.

Do you want to help in a big way? Join us by inviting your friends and family to donate. Click “Create your campaign” at the top of this page, upload your photo, choose your target sum, and share your campaign link with your contacts with a personal message. Contact me for tips and ideas.

Thank you for your support. Together, we look forward to better days.

Ori