Hi, my name is Grace Ezzell and I'm running this campaign to support folks in my community in Gaza during a time of great need. Funds will go to food aid for families in the north who are trying to survive, and to support families wishing to evacuate.

For background, I worked in Gaza throughout 2009 and 2011 with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) on their youth programming and was a volunteer with Gaza Sky Geeks - Gaza's first startup accelerator - from 2015-2017. I have had close friends and colleagues in Gaza since my days in university.

My now husband has family in Gaza and we are sad to say we lost fourteen family members - his cousin and his wife, and their kids and grandkids. Their homes in Khan Younis were shelled without warning in the early days of October.

Everyone I know in Gaza has lost family. Most families are homeless and have had to move multiple times. Food insecurity in rampant, and nowhere is safe.

While we cannot bring back those lost, we can honor them by supporting a future for Gaza. The bonds I developed in Gaza were for life, and now this beautiful place needs our help. Please join me in repaying the generosity of my community in Gaza by supporting when they need it most.

Funds from this campaign will go to:

-Denise Hassanein, a former colleague from AFSC who is raising funds for her brother in law and his two sons to evacuate Gaza and join her sister in law and their other three kids, who were able to evacuate a few months ago ($15,000 goal)

-Jamil El Majdalawi (now located in Egypt but supporting family in the North of Gaza), another former colleague from AFSC: "Join us in our mission to provide immediate relief to over 200 members of our family impacted by the conflict in northern Gaza. Your generous donations will help supply crucial necessities like food, water, hygiene supplies, and medical aid. Together, we’ll also work towards long-term recovery, rebuilding homes, and offering vital psychosocial support to those traumatized by violence. Every contribution makes a difference in restoring hope and healing hearts." ($30,000 goal)

-Mosab Abu Dagga and his family (now evacuated to Egypt), a beloved former colleague at AFSC who ran the Public Achievement democracy building program. Him and his wife and kids are seeking funds to restart their lives ($12,300).

-Mamoun Al Qedra (family friend and my sister-in-law's former boss) and his family, who are trying to evacuate from Gaza to Egypt seeking safety and a new beginning. ($35,280)

I have batched these campaigns and will be dividing funds between Mamoun, Mosab, and Jamil's causes, so you can donate without feeling like you have to make the hard choice of who to support in an impossible situation.

Your support is so much appreciated.

With love,

Grace

PS: Anyone who wishes to join this campaign or adopt a campaign to share with their network, please let me know!