New York Yankees President Randy Levine and his wife Mindy sent a special delivery shipment of New York Yankees hats, shirts and bandanas to lone soldiers of the IDF last week.
The shipment, all branded with the slogan, “We love lone soldiers,” was distributed at the sixth annual “Yom Siddurim” (personal errands day), sponsored by Nefesh B’Nefesh and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF).
Mindy Levine flew to Israel for the event to personally deliver the goods.
“Randy and I are adamant about supporting these courageous young women and men who have chosen to make Israel their new home and have then gone on to volunteer to serve in the Israel Defense Forces to protect that home,” said Levine. “I hope that after learning about Nefesh B’Nefesh through our support of Friends of the IDF and the Lone Soldier Program more sports executives, players and organizations will find it in their hearts to support Lone Soldiers from the states their teams represent. I am offering a challenge to fans of all teams to join us as well in an effort to show these soldiers that they are not alone.”
Asked about how the Yankee brand – with one of the most recognizable logos throughout the world – can act as a powerful unifying force across the globe, Levine explained that “the fact that so many people identify with the Yankees really allows us to take the brand and do some wonderful things with it, whether it be partnering with a hospital for cancer research, or raising awareness about Israel and the IDF.
“At the same time, we can’t control who is a fan of the team. My husband likes to joke that the the Yankees hat is worn by both superstars and bank robbers alike.”
And now Israeli soldiers, as well.