Al Shindagah

Al Shindagah | Issue 140 | 13 n a cold day in early February in Amercia’s MidWest, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor warmed the hearts of everyone as he launched a $500,000 children’s fund in Central Illinois. He donned his fur hat and warm coat to take a guided tour of the Central Illinois Foodbank’s headquarters in Springfield, Illinois where he was taken to the main facilities that serve more than 107,000 people in the region. Al Habtoor also visited one of the Central Illinois Foodbank’s soup kitchens where he served and met people directly benefiting from one of its many initiatives. The ‘Dr Khalaf Al Habtoor and Congressman Paul Findley’s Children Fund’ was officially inaugurated at a press conference attended by state and community leaders in Springfield, Illinois on Thursday 8 February 2018. Al Habtoor said, “I believe that philanthropy should be independent of race, religion and geography. When God gives you something, you have to give part of it to people in need without differentiation. You have to help everyone. The three main religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – teach us that. All people have the right to live a decent life.” He also thanked the Central Illinois Food Bank for its support. “The Central Illinois Food Bank is doing a great job in supporting this very worthwhile cause. I commend them for the dedication and commitment to making the world a better place. They have been working tirelessly since 1982 to fight hunger within their community, and their efforts are making a significant impact on society.” The $500,000 contribution, which was awarded to the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield, will be used to establish an endowment to fund programs that provide food Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has long put others needs first. On a recent visit to the United States, the well- known philanthropist dug deep into his pockets, launching a $500,000 children’s fund in Central Illinois to honour his long-term friendship with former US Congressman, the Hon. Paul Findley. Joanna Andrews travelled to Illinois to witness the launch of the Dr Khalaf Al Habtoor and Congressman Paul Findley’s Children Fund. O Al Habtoor shakes hands with an Abraham Lincoln lookalike Khalaf Al Habtoor and Pam Molitoris sign an agreement as Craig Findley (L) looks on