ACC celebrates 33 years, honors partners in service
By Natasha Dado
A moving performance of youth singing for Detroit, ACC and its awardees at the gala. PHOTOS: Courtesy of ACC.
DETROIT — The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) celebrated its 33rd annual Civic and Humanitarian Awards Gala Sep. 29. Regional leaders who have partnered with the ACC to enhance its mission of enriching the quality of life for people across southeast Michigan were honored.
Every year the ACC provides more than 600,000 services to people from its 40 outreach offices. Those who received awards at the gala include, Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture, recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Jase Bolger, Speaker of the House serving his second term as state representative for the 63rd District, Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic Michigan state senator and John J. Walsh, Speaker Pro Tem for the Michigan House of Representatives all were honored with the State Leadership Award; Linda D. Forte, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer for Comerica Bank received the Community Service Award; Susan Ellis Goodell, President and CEO of Forgotten Harvest received the Humanitarian Award; Edwin Harlin, Director of Southeast Michigan Development Authority received the Economic Development Award and Arab American entrepreneur Ghassan M. Saab, CEO of Sorensen Gross, Inc., was honored with the Entrepreneur Award.
“I am truly grateful to the ACC for this tremendous honor, and to be among the other awardees,” Saab said.
Harlin noted it has been a privilege to partner with the ACC to make housing more affordable for families. “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work with the ACC, and help people who’re homeless and houseless,” he said.
ACC President and CEO Haifa Fakhouri with Art Van Furniture Founder Art Van Elslander who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and says his top sales associates are Chaldean Americans. |
This past year in partnership with Forgotten Harvest the ACC established one of the largest food pantries in Detroit. ACC’s Pantry and Plenty has benefited over 2000 families in need of food.
Ghassan M. Saab, CEO of Sorensen Gross, Inc., was honored with the Entrepreneur Award. |
One of the women has been the company’s top sales associate for 19 consecutive years according to Elslander, and this year despite tough economic conditions managed to break her sales record. “I’m so proud of both of you, I love you both very much, you know that,” he said.