Layalina,
the Annual
Benefit Gala Dinner of the Rene Moawad Foundation
USA, was held @ The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington DC. A
Lebanese-American cultural evening to benefit the Children of
Lebanon, this event brought together around 475
Lebanese-Americans, and many other Arab and American friends of
Lebanon. Dignaitaries present included H.E. MP. Nayla Moawad,
the Foundation's Founder, H.E & Mrs. Farid Abboud, Ambassador of
Lebanon, Dr Edward D. Soma, President of RMF- USA , Mr. Richard
Shadyac of St. Judes Children's Research Hospital who was the MC.,
Ambassadors Phyllis and Robert Oakley; Ambassador Richard Murphy;
Ambassador Clovis Maksoud, Ambassador of Yemen Abdulwahab Al-Hajjri,
among others. The Foundation presented the Distinguished
Achievement Awards to Lebanese-Americans Betty and James Sams for
their outstanding contributions to the community and to
Lebanese-American relations. A fashion show was held by the famous
Lebanese designer Abed Mahfouz, who also received an award for
artistic excellence. Thanks to Nadia Abourizk Asaad, the Executive
Director of the Foundation and to all the organizing committee
members and our many Guests for making this function a great
success…. Sophia Haddad
