An Event Space Built By Our Community For Our Community
Celebrating Over 80 Years Of Syrian Lebanese Heritage
Improving Our
Community Together
The Syrian Lebanese American Club of Orlando Inc is an event space created to bring together people to expand and improve our community. We not only host events but also award scholarships and celebrate our Syrian, Lebanese heritage. If you’re interested in joining us, please consider becoming a member today.
A Letter from Your 2022 SLAC President:
I'm truly honored to have your trust in me for a fourth term as President of SLAC of Orlando. I expect 2022 to be an exciting year for all involved.
I welcome out new board. I am confident your efforts will be the glue to our success we will have this year and pave the way towards our success for years to come. We lean heavily on our board members throughout the years for each event.
Just as they say there is power with numbers, we need more member support with ideas, planning events, and/or joining a committee to see these events through.
As we plan for this year, we'd like to look in new directions to be in the community and promote our good will with charities and fundraisers. We represent a positive, hardworking, loving heritage and we should be sharing this with our community and children.
As your president I always welcome suggestions and hope many of you choose to be more involved and help us create what you and your family wants in the club.
I'm looking forward to the year to come. May God Bless us all and may you all have a warm evening! Thank you."
Our Club’s History
SLAC of Orlando is a Not-for-profit (501 )© 3 – Social, Charitable, and Cultural local club, established in 1939 at the home of Rebecca Gazil, the widowed mother of eight children who owned the biggest house of all the Syrians and Lebanese in Central Florida. She kept her table full of food all day long while working 10 to 12 hours a day in the family-owned grocery store. It had 11 rooms, and it was the central location for new members of our heritage to stop and eat a full meal.
She became known as the Perle Mesta of Orlando. For newcomers, Perle Mesta was a socialite who held parties for all the presidents and diplomats in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was in her home that a group of young men decided to form a club. They had for a time met at the homes of different relatives to play cards or just socialize.
Maurice Tamney, a young man from Paterson, New Jersey was visiting relatives and brought a copy of a document which was used to create the club in his hometown.
The document from Paterson was the format that created the Syrian American Club of Orlando. Initially the club was created for men only, It did not take the men long to discover they were not capable of doing many things without the support of the women. Therefore the by-laws were amended and women became members a couple years later.
The first president in 1939 was Gabriel Deeb, a grocer and investor in properties. When many of the Syrians and Lebanese arrived in Orlando, they were either grocery store owners or peddlers of some sort. It was in the 1920’s and it was the boom time for Floridians. The senior citizens had the vision in the growth of Orlando and many bought property anywhere they could find it. Sadly, Gabriel Deeb died before he could accept a second term.
Reasons Why You Should Become A Club Member
SLAC (Syrian Lebanese American Club) of Orlando is the First Club in Central Florida (Established in 1939) that represents our Syrian, Lebanese heritage.
SLAC is a Not for Profit 501 (C) (3) organization that promotes Social, Cultural, Academic, and Charitable Programs for the benefit of people of our Heritage and the Local Community. Your contribution could be Tax exempted.
SLAC Provides children of our Heritage with yearly Scholarship awards thru our Club and the affiliated membership in SLAC of Florida and in the Southern Federation of the Syrian Lebanese American Clubs.
SLAC Has active programs and events thru out the year for our Children, Youth, and Seniors including Social, Cultural, Business Professional, Educational, Fun such as Dinner/ Dance Parties, Holiday parties and Picnics.
SLAC is affiliated with St. Jude Children Research Hospital in TN, which was founded by the Lebanese celebrity Danny Thomas. Over 1 million and a half Dollars were raised during the last 22 years of the Club’s Fund Raiser Events.
Please download the link of the Membership Application and Support our Heritage by signing TODAY!
Our Scholarship Program
Scholarship awards are given to high school seniors who are going to be entering freshmen in an accredited community college, college, or university, and funds are to be used for educational purposes only. The amount of scholarship money to be awarded will be determined annually by the scholarship committee and will be dependent on funds available and the number and quality of applicants.
The criteria for this scholarship are as follows:
1
You, your parent(s), or your legal guardian must have been a member of the Syrian Lebanese American Club of Orlando for at least two years.
2
The President of the Club must sign the application verifying said membership.
3
Applicant must have completed a minimum of 30 community service hours to a charity, local church, or school over the past four years
4
Applicant must have maintained at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA/85 average (B average).
A Personal Letter From The Board
We hope that you will find your membership rewarding to you in terms of culture, scholarship, social, and just enjoying your great heritage.
Our club is affiliated with the Southern Federation and the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Many of our Members are also members of SLAC Of Florida as well, which you may also wish to consider joining at some point in the future.
Several members have a great deal of expertise in the history and development of this organization. Our club is here to help with information and assistance when such needs arise.
In order to make our club membership more meaningful, I strongly encourage you to make every effort to involve yourself and your children in club activities. Our intentions are to include the interests of all our members, and we are always open to new ideas. We plan regular activities such as family fun days, Holiday parties, and group social events. We have a host of committees that welcome membership participation. Each talent that you can share with the club will only make the club stronger.
We have one general membership meeting each month. Our board meetings are usually on the second Wednesday of each month.
The Syrian Lebanese American Club is your club. We can greatly benefit from your active participation. Again, welcome, and we’re certainly looking forward to having you with us!
Sincerely,
Sonia Johary, Board Member
Links To Our Partners
The Syrian Lebanese American Club of Orlando Inc is partnered with the following groups below and urges you to consider contacting them.
- SOUTHERN FEDERATION OF SYRIAN LEBANESE AMERICAN CLUBS: www.sfslac.org
- SYRIAN LEBANESE AMERICAN CLUBS OF FLORIDA: www.slacoforlando.org
- ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL: www.stjude.org
- LEBANON, USA:
www.Lebanonusa.com
