25 October 2008 |
15th Annual Gala Dinner in Washington D.C. |
Place: |
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Pentagon City |
Organized by the RMF-USA, the 15th Annual Washington DC Gala Dinner, was held on the 25th October, in support of the Foundation's work in Lebanon, with an attendance of about 425 people from the Lebanese-American Community and many American friends of Lebanon, including Arab diplomats and the US NGO community. The Master of Ceremonies of the evening was Congressman Ray Lahoud of Illinois. The Gala honored two distinguished and deserving individuals: Dr. Edward Soma, Co-Founder of RMF USA and its President for 13 years, and Mr. Claude Comair is the founder and current Chairman of DigiPen Corp. Both Awards were presented to the Honorees by HE Nayla Moawad who came to the US especially for this occasion as well as the President of RMF-USA Mr. Abdo Sabban. Dr. Edward Soma, received the Foundation’s Distinguished Lifetime Achievement and Community Service Award. Dr. Soma remains involved with the Foundation as its President Emeritus. Dr. Edward Soma has devoted a significant portion of his life to charitable causes with great involvement in St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital as well as the Maronite Church. Dr. Soma was a founder of the first Maronite Parish in Washington, D.C. and served as chairman of fundraising as well as the building committee of the new church until its dedication in 2006. Mr. Claude Comair received the Foundation’s Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Comair is the founder and current Chairman of DigiPen Corp. DigiPen is a multi-national company with its main focus on the creation of Video Game Software and 3D engines. Mr. Comair is also the Co-founder of Nintendo Software Technology (NST) and served as its Chairman and Chief Technology Officer from 1998 to 2003, and Chairman of the Board from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Rick Shidyac, son of Richard Shidyac, SR. and currently the Chairman of the Board of ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, introduced Dr. Soma. Mr. George Hage, President of Hitron USA, introduced Mr. Claude Comai. As usual the evening also featured a fashion show by Lebanese Designer Jamil Khansa who also received the Outstanding Talent Award. The evening also included a short performance of Arabic songs from Fairuz and Asmahan by soprano Randa Rouweyha who has been a soloist with numerous Opera companies throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including the Kennedy Center's Washington National Opera under the artistic direction of Maestro Placido Domingo. A silent Auction was also a highlight of the evening displaying a wide array of jewelry, furs, painting and many other donations from establishments in the greater Washington metropolitan area like Cartier, Bulgari, Neiman Marcus. The proceeds of this year’s gala are dedicated to RMF’s 'Adopt a Student' Program which provides Lebanon’s youth with the opportunity for a better |
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