Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Ayoub.
Richard, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was a 19-year-old in El Paso, a hometown teenager, Pam Lee, (not the one from Baywatch) was an elite level gymnast, but couldn’t go to the Olympics because of a lack of funds. I was so disappointed that a local girl wouldn’t be able to realize this dream for herself and her hometown that I started a Pam Lee Olympic Fund. I was the president. And, I recruited a City Council Member, a banker, an ad executive and a childhood friend. We held news conferences, exhibits in malls and raised money.
I particularly remember when Pam’s mother came to me and said, “Pam doesn’t have a coach here in El Paso, so she at least needs a trampoline.” I asked, “How much is that?” It was $800. I put together a target list of prominent business owners. The first person on my list was the owner of the #1 radio station in El Paso. For some reason, he agreed to meet with the teenage version of me. I told him about my dilemma, hoping he would contribute a few hundred dollars. I walked out with a check for $800. It made me realize, when you have a goal for a noble cause, the universe conspires to help you make it happen.
Years later I received a phone call from my good friend Bobby Ralston, who serves on the nonprofit board of Friends of Lockwood with me. Bobby told me Project Angel Food was looking for a new leader and he had an epiphany while he was vacationing in Brazil. He said, “Would you ever consider being Executive Director — even temporarily?” He went on to say, “You know everyone. And, if you don’t know them – you know how to get to them. And, you have the compassion and can tell the story.”
I had worked in television for more than 20 years. Much of that time was as a TV news producer. My goal was to give a voice to the underdog and make a difference in my small part of the world. As I went from smaller markets to the huge market of Los Angeles, I felt I was losing my impact and questioned, “Should I stop all of this and do something that makes the world a better place?”
Not until I got that phone call from Bobby four years ago did I get my answer and it was, “Yes.”
After taking the job I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to meet the fundraising goals. I had raised thousands of dollars, but not millions. A wise friend of mine said, “Richard, all you need to do is add a few zeroes.”
I didn’t realize how right he was until September when Project Angel Food hosted our annual gala. We raised more than $800,000. Remember my first attempt at 19 at fundraising I raised $800, so yes, he was right, I just added a few zeroes!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Project Angel Food is a beloved charity in Los Angeles … and we’ve been around for 30 years. You don’t make it this long without ups and downs. When I took over in November of 2015, Project Angel Food had a $450,000 deficit and had maxed out our line of credit. I’m happy to report today that in six months we were able to close the gap and end the fiscal year with a surplus and have done so every year since. And, Project Angel Food is in a good position to build a rainy day fund.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Project Angel Food was born in response to the AIDS crisis. Marianne Williamson wanted to send comfort meals to people dying of AIDS. So she found a church at the corner of Fountain and Fairfax in West Hollywood and started cooking and delivering hot meals with the help of many volunteers. As the crisis became more manageable, Project Angel Food found out if you send healthy meals to people with HIV, you can bring down their viral loads. So, we hired registered dietitians, who help craft the nutritious meals. And in 2004, the Board of Directors decided to share this great gift to anyone in LA County who is sick, hungry and alone. Today, we serve 1,500 daily living with HIV, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and kidney failure. Each meal is medically-tailored to their needs. Project Angel Food is the only organization in LA that fills this critical need.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The resurgence of Project Angel Food wouldn’t have been possible without the committed staff, many of whom have been here for more than ten years. Four reached a 25-year milestone with Project Angel Food recently. And I’d like to acknowledge the visionary board, which dreams of a world where every sick person is fed, nourished and loved, is exceptional. Thousands of volunteers come through our doors every year to connect with like-minded people and to help someone they will probably never meet. And, I am grateful to donors from all walks of life, whether they send us a $5 bill in the mail or raise their hands at a gala and donate $50,000. None of the work of Project Angel Food would be possible without all of them coming together forming a circle of love.
Contact Info:
- Address: 922 Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90038 - Website: www.angelfood.org
- Phone: 323-845-1800
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @projectangelfood
- Facebook: @projectangelfood
- Twitter: @projangelfood
Image Credit:
Photos Courtesy of Richard Ayoub
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