Hello/salaam~ dear friends and family,

This weekend, I am so honored to be participating in a 5K race in support of injured children of Palestine. Please help me reach my goal...

You may know that my journey to the beauty of Islam began when I was a young teenager seeking to know God. You may not know that one of the first words I learned to write in Arabic at 13 years old was "Palestine" (فلسطين). I wrote it over and over again in my notebook. It looked so balanced and beautiful--heavy and light all at once. 

I remember my young heart feeling confused and hurt when I first learned about Palestine. I remember wondering how the world could let such beautiful people in such a beautiful holy place be subjected to such horrific human rights abuses and apartheid.

My own children are also the granchildren of a Palestinian refugee, just two generations removed from the Nekba, like so many others in the global Palestinian diaspora.

The horrific genocide of children, women, and men we've witnessed for the past year is not new. It is also not acceptable or understandable, ever. Witnessing it on a screen overwhelms any heart with a shred of humanity into complete compassion, empathy, and heartbreak. Directly experiencing this, especially as a child, is something I can never comprehend.

Harm and hatred cannot break our hearts into inaction. We CAN make a positive difference. I've been so humbled and impressed by HEAL Palestine and founder Steve Sosebee since I first saw him speak on international news with award winning journalist Amy Goodman. 

His vision, mission, and decades of expertise connect Palestinian children and families with an extensive network of top notch medical and support professionals. This structure makes HEAL Palestine my charity of choice, without a doubt. I've worked in the refugee relief sector and I understand what it takes to create a highly vetted top notch charity - this is it. 

HEAL Palestine's mission is to transform the lives of Palestinian youth by providing essential healthcare, educational support, humanitarian aid, and leadership development opportunities. I have given and will continue to give everything I can to HEAL!

This year alone, they've connected nearly two dozen children from Gaza who were senselessly and violently injured with direly needed expert medical care in the US. Recently, I had the immense honor to greet little Baylasan, when she arrived at the airport, something I'll never forget. She is one of my heroes. Here's a photo of Baylasan

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You don't have to be a certain faith or ethnicity to help the children of Palestine, you only have to be human. Whether you're Muslim or not, know a lot about Palestine or not, or have known me for a long or short time, I ask that you honor our friendship and relationship by donating now to this cause that is the crown of my heart. Please, give generously to HEAL Palestine.

Thank you, God bless you

Love,
Kelly

All views my own, not sent on behalf of any other entity/organization/government

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