Sports & Arts
EDF honors Meb Keflezghi - About 500 guests attended the Annual Eritrean Development Foundation's benefit dinner.
By Sophia Tesfamariam
May 21, 2005, 19:52

About 500 guests attended the Annual Eritrean Development Foundation's benefit dinner in which, the Eritrean-American Olympic Silver Medalist and top United States distance runner, Mebrahtu "Meb" Keflezghi was honored. The function was held on May 19, 2005 at the magnificent Capital Hilton in the heart of Washington, DC. The Eritrean Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit humanitarian organization, working to promote economic, social, and cultural development in Eritrea.

H.E. Girma Asmerom, Eritrea's Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Juan Williams, senior correspondent for National Public Radio, and political Analysts for Fox News Channel, a significant number of CEO's from major US companies were amongst the distinguished guests present. Mr. Russom Sebhatu Keflezghi and Mrs. Awetash Berhe Keflezghi, Meb's proud parents were also present, as was his younger brother Merhawi.

Mr. Juan Williams who served as the Master of Ceremony told the guests that EDF was engaged in important works and deserved support. Dr. Yacob Fisseha, Chairman of the Eritrean Development Foundation, welcomed all and praised Ms. Margo Kelly, Executive Director of EDF, Mr. Ghebre Selassie Mehreteab, 2005 Dinner Chairman, and members of the EDF Board for putting together such a wonderful event. He thanked Meb for his support of EDF's efforts.

Mr. Ghebre Selassie Mehreteab, the CEO of NHP Foundation and Chairman of the 2005 benefit dinner thanked all the guests for their continued friendship with Eritrea and their kind donations to EDF.

Ambassador Girma gave a brief statement and expressed his pride in Meb's extraordinary accomplishments. He thanked everyone for their generous support to EDF. Ambassador Girma also read a message from by H.E. President Isaias Afeworki of Eritrea to EDF and participants of the event. President Isaias congratulated Meb on his achievements and encouraged EDF to continue with its noble humanitarian work in Eritrea.

The Honorable Alphonso Jackson, who was the dinner's keynote speaker, said that Meb "personified the American dream" and related the parallels in his own life with that of the accomplished athlete. He spoke of his humble background and his struggles, which were similar to those of Meb's. He said that it was through hard work and sacrifice that Meb was able to achieve so much and praised Meb's parents for instilling in their son values that enabled him to reach for higher goals.

Meb was born in Asmara, Eritrea, and came to the United States with his family at age of 12. In 2000 he participated in the Sydney Olympics, but it was the 2004 Athens Olympics that catapulted him to world fame. He became the first American man since 1976 to win an Olympic medal in the men's marathon, taking the silver for the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He came in second at the ING New York City Marathon in November 2004. Meb was as serious with his education as he was about his running. An honor student, he graduated from UCLA in 1999, majoring in Communications and Business Administration.

After being presented with the Fred Hollows Award, Meb thanked everyone for their support of EDF and Eritrea. He thanked his family, coaches, teachers, roommates and friends. Meb talked proudly of his Eritrean origin and his parents and the sacrifices they made so that his life and that of his siblings (11 of them) would be better. He talked about sacrifice and hard work to achieve one's goals. He said that when he runs, he runs for the US and Eritrea.

Ms. Margo Kelly briefed the guest on current EDF projects in Eritrea. She said development was not a sprint, but more like a marathon, that it takes time and it takes many turns. She thanked all for their generous contributions. EDF raised a total of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars ($180,000). According to EDF, these funds will enable the Foundation to continue and expand its relief, development and humanitarian efforts, which include HIV/AIDS awareness and education, nutritional supplements for women and children, water catchments project, a summer youth camp, and book drives.

As Meb would say, Congratulations EDF, "Run to Win".