Hundreds Volunteer to Renovate Children’s Village After Doron Zakzter’s Near-Fatal Accident

More than 250 volunteers spent this week renovating Migdim, a children’s village in Migdal HaEmek, in an annual project led by Doron Zakzter. The effort marks six years since Zakzter was critically injured in an accident that nearly killed him, after which he turned the anniversary into a day of giving.

The volunteers included reserve soldiers from Unit 669 and Squadron 123, who had taken part in Zakzter’s rescue, as well as artists, bereaved families and company employees. They arrived early in the morning, painted buildings, upgraded the library and built a community garden. Graffiti artist Benzi Brufman also painted the village walls together with the residents.

Zakzter said he was injured during a family trip over Passover and, shortly after being evacuated to Soroka Medical Center and waking up, decided to dedicate the date to action. “Five days after the injury I asked to meet the people who rescued me,” he said. “I told them I had been given my life as a gift, and from that day I wanted to celebrate it through giving. I decided that every year I would adopt a place I believe in, and gather everyone around me to make a real change there.”

Migdim, run by the SOS Children’s Village association, provides a warm home and therapeutic support for children and teenagers removed from their homes. The renovated area also includes a special community space with a coffee cart and seating areas in memory of Staff Sgt. Ofri Yafe. The project was initiated by his family together with the village’s national service volunteers. Ofri’s mother, Hadass, said the new lively, joyful, connecting space reflected her son’s spirit. The children are expected to return at the start of next week and see the transformation, which association CEO Nelly Geva said would show them how important they are to many people.