A Heartfelt thanks
Annual Miami Benefit Dinner
Our diaspora Lebanese-American community in Miami came together in body and heart for an evening of purpose and solidarity united around a cause rooted in dignity, resilience and life itself in support of their fellow Lebanese who are facing immense hardships. The Rene Moawad Foundation’s Annual Miami Benefit Dinner held on April 18th was dedicated to supporting its health care program and to standing by those who chose to remain in their villages in South Lebanon against all odds.
In her opening remarks, RMFUSA’s Executive Director Nadia Abourizk-Asaad stressed the importance of the Lebanese diaspora in being Lebanon’s lifeline especially at this critical juncture! (link) And they indeed delivered that evening raising around $705,000 to RMF’s lifesaving mission in Lebanon!
Rima Otrakji, VP of the Board and the Chair of the Miami event, thanked all for coming together to preserve hope for Lebanon, noting that the evening was one of renewed purpose and solidarity with Lebanon and the South. She concluded that she has never seen peace in Lebanon since she was born and was praying for a miracle for Lebanon and the South where she has deep roots.
Adib Kassis, RMFUSA’s Board President, welcomed the Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad and commended her on her role in the direct peace negotiations. He affirmed that Lebanon’s resilience and strength is rooted deep and always finds its way back, likening it to the vision of the sun rising beneath the Cedar trees out of the darkness of the night.
Keynote Speaker Michel Moawad, Director of RMF Lebanon and a member of the Lebanese Parliament said that “Lebanon has endured what no nation should or even could”. “We need to end the bloody and deadly cycle of the wars of others fought on our lands” and called for peace and structural reforms. He added RMF is harnessing all its efforts on three fronts- supporting the displaced which is a national duty, those who chose to stay on their land in the South and the Lebanese people as a whole who are suffering from collateral damage.
The event honored Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy with the RMF Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. In his acceptance remarks Mr. Abud thanked RMF for this recognition stating that “it was an honor and humbling to have this connection to my roots… and be surrounded by people who care so much about changing lives”.
The Outstanding Community Service Award was extended to Philip George, a successful Lebanese Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. In his acceptance remarks Mr. George said that his connection to Lebanon is something that he carries with pride and that what RMF does is so powerful as it changes the trajectory, giving people something bigger than support… dignity and a future”.
The benefit dinner was masterfully emceed by Julio Gallo, prominent plastic surgeon and John Akouri prominent media personality. They led a successful onsite appeal dedicated to the South and RMF’s Medchronic’s program, which raised around $200k.