Mazal tov to JFN Chair Dr. Georgette Bennett for being awarded a 2019 AARP Purpose Prize!
The prize honors extraordinary people ages 50 and older who tap into the power of life experience to build a better future for us all. Georgette has been honored for her vital work with founding the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees.
In Georgette's own words:
ShareI started this work in 2013 at the age of 67, when I saw in Syria’s crisis not only as a chance to alleviate terrible human suffering but also to build bridges that could contribute to the future stability of the region. The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees provides basic items that people need — food, medicine, medical care, clean water, and warm clothing. We have delivered more than $130 million of humanitarian aid directly into Syria...
...I’m a great believer in tackling crises by focusing on what is doable rather than on the totality of the problem. We work directly with trusted local non-government organizations, which means there are no commissions to pay and 100 percent of our goods go to the intended beneficiaries, rather than being diverted to store shelves or sold illegally. Also, we uniquely saw the potential of Israel, which shares a border with the four countries most impacted by the crisis, to be used as a staging area for the outbound delivery of international humanitarian aid. The fact that MFA is a multi-faith organization brings a great deal of moral authority to bear on this. It’s about harnessing the power of the collective.
