PORTLAND, Oregon — The impact of the Israel-Hamas war resonates here in the Northwest where active duty solider Melina Suarez, on leave in Portland, is making plans to return to Israel and fight next week.
"To my horror, I saw what was happening and at that moment I knew I needed to get back as soon as possible," said Suarez.
Suarez is an active combat search and rescue soldier with the Israeli forces who grew up here in Portland. She attended the Portland Jewish Academy and NCSY, an international youth movement that focuses on connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens.
She was visiting family during the Jewish holiday but that quickly changed when she saw what had broken out in the Middle East over the weekend.
"I just felt really scared for my friends, people who have become my family. I have lost people that I was in training with,” said Suarez. “This attack was completely unexpected no one had any clue it was a total surprise."
So now she's heading back to fight next week and says she's ready despite her family's concerns for her safety.
"Knowing that this is the reality of what I'm heading back to I feel prepared, I feel ready mentally,” said Suarez. “I'm not scared because I know God has always been with me. My family is always praying for me and my community is always praying for me."
Suarez isn't going back empty-handed. She will be traveling back with supplies for fellow soldiers such as: black/grey thick long socks for boots, toothbrushes, travel-size toothpaste, travel side deodorant, baby wipes and pocket tissues.
"I know things are missing, supplies are missing. And soldiers can't go to the store, they have a war to fight," said Suarez.
And she's asking for your help, you can make a monetary donation to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Funds will be used for basic needs for Israelis impacted by the war — especially trauma care.
"In the first 48 hours, we have raised over $100,000 from hundreds of donors across the community both Jewish and non-Jewish," said the CEO and President of the Federation, Marc Blattner.
Blattner says the outpouring of support has been immense. But still finds it difficult to know so many Israelis are hurting.
“I sent a note to the Jewish community just yesterday about how I cried myself to sleep on Monday night,” said Blattner. “It was the first time I took a breath to really understand what was happening."
Blattner says a family in town has put up a $250,000 matching challenge grant to help support the people of Israel. You can donate here to help reach that goal.
"These are civilians, these are your neighbors, your family, cousins, and babies that are being hit,” said Suarez. “It's not even a matter of war, it's about terrorism now."
Suarez leaves back to Israel on Oct. 17 with all of the donated supplies.