Help Maalouf Family After Fire

Disaster struck on Aug 18,2016 at 1044 River St. in Hyde Park, MA. A raging fire tore into the home that Samia Maalouf shared with two of her 3 sons and her elderly and very ill Mother, Georgette.

The blessing on this incident is that no one was injured or killed.

However, the house and everything in it was a total loss. Georgette has lived in this home for over 40 years. She raised her children and has cared for 15 grandchildren in this home. This home was also her means of supporting herself. Foreign exchange students from all over the world have been calling River St home for more than 2 decades. In fact, one was due to arrive at 5:00pm that afternoon. The fire was discovered at 3.20pm. Not only did this fire destroy the home of this family, but the livelihood of an elderly and sick woman.

Samia has been working as an independent distributor with Herbalife for 16 years. In 2004 she moved back home to Boston in order to take care of her Mother, whose health was failing. During this time Samia herself has become quite ill with severe and chronic hereditary heart disease. All the while, this single Mom of three boys has managed to continue her career with Herbalife, suffered a heart attack and 2 heart surgeries, as well as, a severe foot injury that took years for her to be able to walk almost normally again. As Samia is struggling with her health issues, raising 3 boys alone, running her business, she awas also taking care of her Mother who has been through several heart surgeries and is scheduled for throat surgery on September 2. This has meant years of pursuing many Drs. appointments, seeing specialists, recovering from surgeries and other illnesses. As if all this wasn't enough for one single mom to be handeling, there was also maintaining a household for several exchange students. Endless hours of shopping, food preparation, cleaning, and all that goes into housing the exchange students in order to support Georgette.

Now this family has nothing. The Insurance company has them in a hotel until Aug 31. After that, they must find a place to live. This is very difficult because of Georgette's frail condition.She must have complete handicap access, including bathroom facilities. Without the income from the exchange students she will not be able to help Samia with any of the bills that continue on even without a home. The mortgage must be paid, car payments, food, and they have no belongings. All must be replaced. Clothing, cookware and all the items necessary to start a household completely from scratch.

Samia also has a Nutrition Club, The Boston Health Zone. The rent, electric bills, phone, supplies, etc. continue on regardless of the traumatic devastation that Samia, Georgette, and the boys have recently endured.

We have no idea when or how much the Insurance company will pay. We are sure it will not be enough to replace the house. Even if they were to rebuild that will take months. They need immediate funds in order to pay the impending bills and to get started rebuilding a life. Please let's take some of the excruciating stress off Samia and help her with these immediate expenses.

For many of us, Samia is part of our extended family. For all of us in Herbalife, she is part of our Herbalife family. Please help. Any amount will be so appreciated by Samia.

Samia is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known. She would do anything in her power to help anyone of us if she even thought we had a need.

She has endured so much hardship in the past few years. We cannot give her childhood home and memorable possessions back but we can help to eliminate some of the pain from this immeasurable loss.