A Chicago nonprofit has turned race-day energy into everyday relief for kids thousands of miles away, donating a 15-seat van to an orphanage in the West Bank so staff finally have a dependable ride for school runs, medical appointments, and recreational outings. Organizers say the vehicle is expected to help roughly 30 children at the Center for the Protection of Childhood in Tulkarem.
How Chicago Raised The Money
The Refugee Life Foundation pulled the cash together through its Humanity 5K at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview on April 27, 2025, with the event page listing the Orphanage of Tulkarem as the beneficiary. Organizers, credited by the Chicago Tribune, say the fundraiser brought in about $76,000 toward the vehicle, which supporters then purchased and shipped to the West Bank.
What The Van Is And What It Will Do
The Center for the Protection of Childhood was created in 1981 and, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, hosts children aged between 1 day and 12 years and provides round-the-clock care. The donated vehicle is a 2022 GMC Savana that was modified to seat 15 and carries a Red Crescent logo. Staff told the Chicago Tribune that the emblem helps volunteers avoid cumbersome checkpoints and searches and that the van will be used for school pickups, medical trips, and recreational outings. “The happiness felt is like walking in a cloud,” said Mohammed Abuobaid, the orphanage secretary and a volunteer since 2012, in remarks reported by the Tribune.
What Organizers Say Comes Next
Refugee Life Foundation leaders say the van will cut down on daily logistical headaches for staff and children and that they plan to continue supporting the Tulkarem center through future fundraisers. For more on the race and organizer contact details, see humanity5k.com.
