We are all receiving requests for donations to help Lebanon. I urge you to contribute.

Those who will not be receiving help are the Palestinian Refugee camps in Lebanon. They were “degraded” long before the present crisis, and their situation is now worse. NONETHELESS, THEY ARE TAKING IN LEBANESE REFUGEES FROM THE SOUTH AND OTHER HEAVILY BOMBED AREAS.

Naseer [A] and Elaine [H] are trying to get some funds to them immediately. We have no tax exempt organization that can receive these funds. Your contribution will not be tax deductible. However, we are assuming that this will not be a factor in this emergency situation. We are asking you all to send Elaine your checks in whatever amount – every dollar helps – payable to Elaine [H] who will coordinate the effort. She will cash the checks immediately, add them together, and try to do a bank transfer. Her bank – Cambridge Savings Bank – has informed her that they can try to do a bank transfer. It is still allowable apparently, but it may not get through on the other end. If it doesn’t work, the bank will return the funds. They would then be delivered by a wife/husband couple (Lebanese and Palestinian) who teach at AUB and who are waiting to get word as to when they can return. They are presently waiting it out in Boston area. They are a couple who have worked in the camps and know the heads of the programs in there. We have known them for years when they were both students at MIT. I would trust them with my life. Elaine’s address is: [redacted]. If you want to reach her by phone for any reason, call [redacted]. Please act now. Also send your email address with your check so Elaine can acknowledge your donation upon receipt. A final accounting will be sent to all donors.

Thank you in advance for responding to this urgent request.

Naseer [A] and Elaine [H]