The Address of Amira Matar- Executive Director of the California Lebanese Ladies Organization- WLCU

Welcome you to the CLO 2014 Mother of the Year Award annual gala and on that occasion I say: If not for my mother I would not have existed.

Each one of you whether you are getting to know us for the 1^st time or you a supporter for many years- you are a special guest- we care about you- we hope that you will join us again in the future. Tonight is about honoring an outstanding mother in our community: Mrs. Mireille Ayoub- who shares the values grounded in the mission of this organization: Helping the homes of the elderly in Lebanon. Our objective is to expand our help as I pledge to carry on this mission in honor of my late parents, your parents and the needy elderly around.

I am grateful to Susan Nahas who formed this organization and to Mireille Ayoub for accepting this award. Mireille is the reason why many of you are here tonight. Mireille you are so loved and respected- This is what is said about you in the program book:

Mireille is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ayoub Home-Quarters since her husband can be called on for his medical duties during odd hours.  She is a full time mother and this is one of the highest paid salaries jobs because the payment is pure love.

• Consul General of Lebanon the Honorable Johnny Ibrahim and Mrs Maya Ibrahim
• The one man who for many years has been and still is fully committed to serve his community, The Honorable Judge James Kaddo
• Rev Father Elias Sleiman and Rev Father Albert Constantine from Our Lady of Mt Lebanon Cathedral in Beverly Hills
• Rev Father Antoine Bakh from St John Maron Church in Orange
• Rev Father Joe Dakash, Sts Peter and Paul Church in Simi Valley
• Assembly State Woman, the Honorable Cristina Garcia
• Assembly man, The Honorable Matt Dabbaneh
• Council Member of City of Bell the Honorable Ali Saleh
• Former CM the honorable Dennis Zine
• Dr Elie and Mrs. Mireille Ayoub- Our honoree

It is nice to recognize the presence and the support of other great Lebanese American Organizations therefore I would like to welcome friends from:

• Our Lady of Mt Lebanon and St John Maron Churches
• The House of Lebanon,
• The Lebanese Forces,
• Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities,
• The Kataeb of Los Angeles,
• LA Cedars Rotary Club,
• Tayyar Al Mustakbal
• ALMA
• Lebanese Ladies Cultural Society,
• The community Newspapers: AlArab
• Robbi Matar – my offspring who put together the program book and the projection
• May I please acknowledge the World Lebanese Cultural Union- Members, directors, presidents former & current – their godfather Mr. Edward Nahas would you please stand up for recognition also Dr. Boutros- Garabet- Karim- Wehbe- Asmar-
• Finally Mrs. Susan Nahas,our President
• All the mothers here, would you please stand up proud for this is your day- lets all wish them a Happy Mother’s day. A rose is coming your way.

Today is about honoring an outstanding mother who also shares values grounded in the mission of this organization: helping the homes of the elderly in Lebanon. Our objective is to expand our help as I pledge to carry on this mission in honor of my late parents, your parents and all the needy elderly.

I am grateful to Susan Nahas who formed this organization and to Mireille Ayoub for accepting this award. Mireille is the reason why many of you are here tonight. Mireille you are so loved and respected- This is what is said about you in the program book:

Mireille is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ayoub Home-Quarters since her husband can be called on for his medical duties during odd hours.  She is a full time mother and this is one of the highest paid salaries jobs because the payment is pure love.

Here we invite you to attend this big event as a tribute to Mrs Ayoub but we also intend to expose you to our passion for the elderly & that is our only mission.  We hope  to also inspire you so we can raise enough money to make a difference in the lives of the elderly in Lebanon. We are a small organization but we have a colossal purpose. Without your generosity we would not succeed.

The org was formed in year 2000, we operate as a division of  the WLCU. We raise funds dedicated for the homes of the elderly in Lebanon from all walks of life. We donate all the monies we collect and we bring our acct balance down to practically zero. We have no other expenses. We write our checks payable directly to the centers that we visit in person. This is it. You give us money in CA & we give it on your behalf to the elderly in Lebanon. In return we bring you back lots of prayers & blessings from their old heart.

We raise funds from two gala functions: In May for mother’s day & in December for a humanitarian award.

live auction by Mr Ferris Wehbe- please know that what you give form your heart we give to the heart of the elderly hoping to bring a smile on their wrinkled face. Please applaud if you want to live long in comfort to your real old age.

Please remember our name- read our messages & at times if you feel that you would want to give, please click on our website to donate.

Award

Mireille Ayoub is a gift to our community. She is the role model of a compassionate mother – a dedicated wife – an honest friend and a foundation for charitable work. A parishioner of Our Lady of Mt Lebanon Cathedral, she co-chairs many activities for the church and supports several organizations for humanitarian relief in particular for her great affection to helping the elderly.