On Tuesday August 4, a devastating explosion of 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate took place at the port of Beirut.   This powerful blast has resulted in at least 157 people killed, more than 5000 injured and more than 300,000 became homeless.  It is estimated that the destruction in property damage is between 10 to 15 billion dollars.

This blast came at a time when Lebanon was already on its knees.  A country that was already experiencing a state of economic crisis, as the government was defaulting on its debt and the Lebanese pound plunging.  COVID-19 pandemic added more stress, hospitals and medical resources were limited and several reached full capacity.

Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Church in Austin Texas is asking you to collaborate with them in aiding a nonprofit agency “St. Vincent of Paul in Lebanon.”  We are teaming up to raise funds for people who were impacted by this disaster.  Dr Ray Hachem and Louis Ragy who work with this foundation will help us reach those families in immediate need and aid them with 100% of the proceeds going directly to those affected.

Dr. Hachem, the Committee Chair for Outreach for the National Apostolate Maronite ( NAM), has been leading missions to Lebanon to help the needy families.   Louis Ragy  was on the NAM board of directors from 2006 till 2012 and parish president from 2010 till 2012, at St Joseph Church in Atlanta.  Ragy is currently residing in Lebanon and is in charge of raising funds for St Vincent Of Paul.  Please know that St Vincent of Paul is an organization that uses 100% of your donations to render support to people in need.

Let us all join efforts to help the Lebanese people