The City of Leawood, Kansas, donated $25,000 to the Gezer Region, its sister community in Israel.
The donation will pay for a bomb shelter for kindergarten students so they can return to school during the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
The donation, which was facilitated through Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, was proposed by Andrew Osman, a member of both the Leawood City Council and Jewish community. Andi Milens, Federation's chief planning officer, was present when the City Council unanimously approved the donation.
"We are so appreciative of the City Council's generosity,” Milens said. “The connection between Leawood and the Gezer Region is strong, and their commitment to help the people of Gezer has proven to be unwavering."
The Gezer Region made a specific request that the money go towards building a bomb shelter for their area kindergarten. Jewish Federation is allocating the donation from Leawood specifically to pay for the shelter, which will allow kindergarten students in the area to safely learn while still having the ability to shelter in the case of an attack.
Leawood and the Gezer Region have been sister cities for more than 20 years. In 2009, Leawood dedicated the 10-acre Gezer Park in honor of its sister city.
