Dearborn — The Al-Mabarrat Charitable Organization U.S.A. (AMCO USA) will be holding its fourteenth annual fundraising dinner this Saturday, September 27, at the Islamic Center of America, located at 19500 Ford Road.  The program will begin at 6:30 and will run until the fast breaking meal is served.  Since 1994, the organization has raised millions of dollars to house and educate orphans in Lebanon and other war-stricken regions who have been left helpless as a result of civil war and tragedy.

According to the Beirut-based newspaper, The Daily Star, the organization currently houses over 4,500 orphans, employs a total of 4,000 people, and educates 21,000 students throughout the small country of Lebanon. According to Al- Mabarrat’s website, the purpose of the institution extends from raising good citizens to “building orphanages that provide the orphans with safe and adequate homes, and proper guided schooling, to ensure that they are equipped in their various age groups with what they need to become active members in the society in order to participate in building and developing it.” In addition to providing a quality education to the orphans, the organization also provides vital services to the physically handicapped and mentally impaired as well.

Each year, the local community flocks to the organization’s fundraising dinner eager to sponsor orphans as well as donate money to the notable cause. According to the organizers,  over 1200 community members attended last year. Tents were set up outside of the mosque to accommodate the outpouring of support. The organizers expect the same level of support this year. Head representative and advent volunteer of the organization Hajj Mohammad Beydoun says “This year we expect a full house because each orphan has its own sponsor.” Beydoun refers to the fact that many people who attend the fundraising dinner are sponsoring orphans yearly through monetary donations for food, shelter, and education. He says, “Orphans are not a burden or obligation to us, rather we take care of them because it is a blessing from God and it is our pleasure.” To the organizers, such pleasure is the essence of why the organization produces such outstanding turnouts.

Also accompanying local community members at the dinner are notable dignitaries. Past attendees of the event include Representative John Dingell, the senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Others have given generous contributions to the organization. The late Dearborn Mayor Michael A. Guido donated hundreds of wheelchairs to the Al-Mabarrat schools in Lebanon.

The organization’s fundraising activities have remained strong despite an unexplained FBI raid last year in which all of the organization’s files were confiscated and then promptly returned and cleared.  The organization does not seem to have been inhibited by the raid. Instead, the community is on track to make this year one of the most successful fundraising efforts to date.

Community members wishing to purchase tickets to the event are welcome to visit AMCO’s office located at 7415 Schaefer Road in Dearborn or call 313.582 5553.