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Riad Elsohl Hamad – 1952-2008

Palestinian Children’s Welfare Fund:

Riad Hamad died on April 14, 2008 in Austin, Texas, a victim of drowning in Lady Bird Lake. He was a tireless advocate for Palestinians, and especially women and children living in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. He created the Palestine Children’s Welfare Fund and raised millions of dollars through this organization for schools, charitable organizations, and hospitals.

We cannot begin to express our sorrow at the death of this fine man who has helped so many and asked for so little. Many of you have written to tell us how much he has done and how much he will be missed. We are grateful for the outpouring of affection, and we want to assure everyone who has been a part of PCWF that its mission will continue.

One of you wrote of Riad: As beautiful a human being as I have ever met…His charisma, energy, and positive outlook were contagious. He loved the children of Palestine and worked tirelessly on their behalf…He would rather sleep in his car than pay for a hotel room so that he could save the money and send it to the children of Palestine…It was never about him, only the children of Palestine.

Please help us continue his work in his honor and in his memory at PCWF. Tax exempt donations may be made to:

Palestine Children’s Welfare Fund
405 Vista Heights Rd.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
510-236-5338

Thank you, Riad, you will never be forgotten.