On June 18th, 2010 over 80 guests gathered in the home of His Excellency Aziz Mekouar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States, in Bethesda, Maryland for a kick-off to summer reception and silent auction honoring the contribution of the High Atlas Foundation to rural development in Morocco.  The Foundation’s goal is to raise $200,000 to plant 200,000 fruit saplings in two community nurseries in the Al Haouz province in 2011.   The Foundation’s 2011 goal is part of the One Million Tree Campaign launched by the Foundation in 2006.  To date, HAF has planted with communities 200,000 fruit trees and saplings in five provinces of Morocco, benefitting approximately 25,000 people.  The evening's message of "$1 -1 Fruit Tree Sapling" delivered by Ambassador Mekouar and HAF Board Members was underlined by spotlighting current projects HAF has undertaken and the continued need for support.  Guests had an opportunity to participate in the silent auction that included diverse items from clothing and baskets to belly dancing classes and wood handicrafts, which were graciously donated by local businesses as well as our "Made in Morocco" partners. The reception raised $33,000, which included a generous gift of $25,000 from the Earth Day Network to support HAF’s planting in 2011.

We would like to extend a special thank you to H.E. Ambassador Aziz Mekouar, the Earth Day Network, our silent auction donors, and all our guests and supporters that contributed to transforming the lives of Moroccan families one sapling at a time!

To view photos of the event please click here.

A special thank you to our silent auction donors, including:
Jeanne Beatrice, www.jeannebeatrice.com
Green Sahara Gifts, www.greensaharagifts.com
Odeon Cafe, www.odeoncafedc.com
Marrakesh Palace, www.marrakeshpalace.com 
Puro Cafe, www.purocafe.com
Salon Nordine & Day Spa, www.salonnordine.com
Sahara Dance Company, www.saharadance.com
The Ritz-Carlton, www.ritzcarlton.com
Charmed Creations by Stephanie, Stephanie Hamlin charmedcreations@comcast.net
Enshin Karate of Northern Virginia, www.virginiakarate.com 
Harmonique Pilates Studio, www.harmoniquepilates.com 
Sanoma Technologies, www.sanomatechnologies.com