Lebanon's darkest hour: a time to help
For a long time, I have devoted myself to the aid and stability grind in the Middle East—work I firmly believe enhances America's reputation in a troubled yet fascinating part of the world.
Over the last year, I have dedicated some of my energy to Empower Lebanon, founded by my friend Joe Khalil, that is committed to improving the lives of the Lebanese people. I am proud to serve as the organization's President of the Board of Directors and advise Joe in his role as the Executive Director.
It's been a busy Year One for Empower Lebanon:
First, we focused on responding to the tragic August 2020 Beirut Blast, which damaged thousands of homes and caused billions in damage.
Second, we teamed up with the US Embassy Beirut and provided firefighting gear and equipment to the Civil Defense Corps in the Yahchouch municipality, allowing them to respond more effectively to emergencies and wildfires.
Third, we worked with the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative and the Ehmej Municipality to promote recycling and solid waste management, a first-of-its-kind pilot.
Finally, and perhaps most crucially, we invested over $30,000 towards more than 1,000 family-supporting food parcels that we distributed all across Lebanon.
We dispensed aid with no regard to geography, religion, lifestyle, or background, just like in everything we do. And now, with 2021 coming to a close, I feel a responsibility to do what I can for Lebanon during its darkest hour. It's hard to exaggerate the severity of the situation. The currency has collapsed, inflation is soaring, unemployment is through the roof, most families can't put decent food on the table, and medicine, electricity, and fuel are scarce. It's that bad.
As such, I've committed myself to raising $10,000 for Empower Lebanon so we can continue helping marginalized communities during these tumultuous times. And since I'm asking you to donate, it's only fitting that I, too, step up. To reach the goal—and it will be reached—I will match the first $1,000 in donations.
Having been living this work for the better part of the last two decades, I know there are myriad options to which you can contribute your hard-earned money. I want to live up to your trust. I will `directly oversee the application of your contribution, and the results we achieve will be shared by email and on Empower Lebanon's website and Facebook page.
Your contribution is deeply appreciated by me and by those it will help.
With appreciation,
Zack