Tenth Annual Miami Benefit Gala (2016)

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016

Location: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL

The Rene Moawad Foundation USA held its 10th Annual Miami Benefit gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Coconut Grove, Miami, FL.

The evening brought together a large number of supporters from the Lebanese-American and Lebanese-Latin-American communities and many of their friends. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the RMF Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Alexander Asseily, Founder of Jawbone Bluetooth and State, an opinion network using semantic web technology and Chiaro Technology ‘Apple of Women’s technology’. HE Nayla Moawad presented the Award to Mr Asseily saying that Lebanon is always proud to recognize its distinguished sons and daughters who are are its national treasure, wherever they may be.

The evening also featured a fashion show by Lebanese designer Rani Zakhem who also received the outstanding talent award. It highlighted RMF’s achievements on the ground in bringing development and assistance to the underserved in Lebanon.

The event was chaired by board members Mrs. Rima Otrakji and board member Tom Abraham. The MC was prominent chief investigative reporter at WFOR-TV, Miami, Florida Michele Gillen who has served as an anchor and investigative reporter on both network and local television news, as well as famous plastic surgeon Dr. Julio Gallo. In her remarks Ms. Gillen quoted late president Moawad:

“There can be no country or dignity without unity of the people, and there can be no unity without agreement, and there can be no agreement without conciliation, and there can be no conciliation without forgiveness and compromise.” – President René Moawad