Raanana Mayor Nahum Hofree opened AKIM’s national fundraising campaign to promote people with mental retardation in Israel.  In preparation for the fundraising day to be held this Monday, the mayor hosted City Councilwoman, Bella Tzur - the city advisor on accessibility; AKIM Israel Director, Sigal Peretz-Yahalomi; Akim Raanana Branch Chairwoman, Naava Zaaror; branch manager, Tova Mesilati and the Director of the Social Services Division, Orna Leshem.

During the meeting, the AKIM director mentioned that the mayor’s reputation precedes him, as someone who promotes the special needs population, including the mentally retarded in Raanana.

AKIM Director:  “We feel really loved and wanted here in Raanana, in an extraordinary manner, both in the approach and the attitude toward us on a national level.”

Each year, the municipal education system also enlists on the fundraising day and its students go door to door to raise money for the association.

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “Raanana is proud to be an accessible city, and considers its activity on behalf of the welfare of the special needs community to be of utmost importance, as part of its philosophy that believes in offering equal opportunities to integrate people with special needs into the community and into society in general.”

City Councilwoman, Bella Tzur:  “Raanana promotes programs and initiatives that integrate the special needs population into the heart of Raanana’s community  These include the unique cycling project “Everyone Cycles” at the Raanana Park and the establishment of the AGAM School in the heart of one of Raanana’s’ newest neighborhoods.”

In the photo:  The Mayor, City Councilwoman, Bella Tzur, municipality and AKIM representatives at the opening of the fundraising day at the Mayor's office .  Photo courtesy: Avishay Klein