In cooperation with the Consulate General of Lebanon, Mrs Monique Schoen Warshaw, a New Yorker of Swiss descent, showed admirable humanity, compassion and solidarity by donating 60,000 US dollars to victims of the Beirut Port Blast which devastated the Lebanese capital on August 4th, 2020.
Mrs Warshaw’s noble endeavor started when she was watching the news on August 4th, 2020, and she was deeply moved by that horrific explosion and the devastation it wrought on the Lebanese capital; she spontaneously decided to approach the Consulate asking how she could help, even though she was not Lebanese and only visited the Land of Cedars a long time ago, during its golden years, when it was known as the “Switzerland of the East”. But she considered that it was a humanitarian catastrophe, wherever it fell, and wanted to help. It was time to act and do her bid to contribute to the victims of that blast. Consequently, that generous lady rushed to the aid of the people of Beirut, asking how she could help alleviate the terrible plight that befell them so suddenly and tragically.
Consul General Abir Taha Audi met with her and immediately put her in touch with Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, who in turn put her in touch with the St. Vincent de Paul’s director Louis Ragy, whose society is present on the ground, helping rebuild houses in the districts most affected by the blast. In October 2020, Mrs Warshaw first donated 30,000 US dollars to three Lebanese families whose houses were destroyed in the Beirut Port blast on August 4th, 2020. Three housing units were chosen for reconstruction, belonging to three of the neediest families from the most affected areas, namely Mar Mkhayel, Gemmayzeh, and Achrafieh-Rmeil. 10,000 US dollars were allocated to the reconstruction of each unit. The work has begun and is well on its way to completion. She is closely supervising the rebuilding process and will soon receive the pictures of the rebuilt units. Mrs Warshaw informed the Consul General in January 2021 that she had made another donation of 30,000 USD to St. Vincent de Paul to cover the reconstruction of other dwellings impacted by the blast. She plans to donate more funds in the future.
We sincerely hope that this generous lady’s initiative would be a blueprint for other donors to be inspired and follow suit, especially among our Lebanese diaspora. Thank you Mrs Warshaw! Thank you, Bishop Gregory. God bless you.
A brief bio of this generous donor with a heart of gold:
She says: “One of my deep interests and concerns is the world we live in. I have lived in the US (always in NYC) for over 50 years. My career was as a translator/educator. I have also always been involved in volunteer work. I have traveled widely, including in Lebanon ‘the Switzerland of the Middle East’, some call it, (in the early seventies), the beauty of which moved me, as well as the warmth and friendliness of its people. The arts and music have always been part of my life, and today, in particular, they offer the solace and peace of mind we all need.”
A brief bio of St Vincent de Paul Society:
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded in Beirut Lebanon in 1860. It is registered as an NGO at the ministry of interior, number 545 dated July 19, 1923. Its main objective is to provide assistance to disadvantaged families regardless of religion, race or country of origin. They supply them with their most urgent food and medical needs.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Lebanon works in varied fields: Spiritual, Social, Medical, Educational, Recreational and Development.
Gathered in 50 Conferences covering Lebanon, volunteers and members (men, women and youth) share their time and energy to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people all around Lebanon. Ever since, it has been cited as an example of dedication and transparency and renowned by the love it spreads around, this is the core of the Vincentian mission.