Today we’d like to introduce you to Laila Maali.
Hi Laila, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I think it was maybe a little over 11 years ago when I was asked to be on the committee for Runway to Hope. A local Orlando charity that helps kids with cancer. The way things fall Into place, is amazing. My niece was four at the time battling with Acute lymphocytic leukemia. So I felt a connection with this organization right away! The first event I did with them, I cried so much! It was so hard. And then a girl, who I am now friends with came up to me and said you have to be strong for these kids. I learned so much in the seven years was with Runway to Hope and will forever be grateful to Mark & Josie Nejame for the opportunity. Through this, I met So many amazing people in my life. It also opened the door for me in the personal styling I do now. But, I’ll talk about that another time! Everything in life happens for a reason. I love helping those in need. I worked with so many different charities throughout the years. I got a phone call from my cousin in Maryland. She saw all the past work I did for so many organizations. She asked me if I wanted To be head of GiveLight Orlando. She explained what GiveLight was, and I spoke to the founder Dian, she’s an angel. GiveLight helps orphans all over the world. Helping those in need is the best feeling. It’s so easy for me to do events for these orphans.
In Orlando, I have so many supporting family & friends. I like to get creative with raising money for the orphans. I like to make it fun. I have had a fashion event in Bloomingdales Orlando in The Mall at Millenia. 10% of Sales that day helped the orphans of GiveLight. I had a huge luncheon in Hurricane grill & wings. The founder Dian, flew In from California to attend. It was a huge success. We raised over $11k for the orphans in Indonesia. January 2020 I had an all Ladies event in American Social. I teamed up with an online Jewelry company, Nominal and 100% of Every piece of jewelry went to the orphans of Mexico. We had a lot Of raffles, Jewelry, extraordinary women that came to the event! The latest event I did was this past February. I called it GiveLight Orlando and boss babes of Orlando! I had small local businesses from Florida do pop Ups to help support the orphans of Morocco. Even during this hard time of covid. We all were safe with masks and had a great time. We helped over 11 orphans for the year with this event. I love helping the beautiful orphans of GiveLight. I would love to thank my hard working amazing committee. Without them these events wouldn’t happen! Every event that I do, I do from my heart. Every dollar made helps a beautiful orphan. I look forward to helping more and more orphans all over the world. The best feeling is helping those in need. Every I do I collaborate with SO many amazing vendors that have the biggest hearts. Blessed to have so many incredible people to be part of GiveLight Orlando. Lastly I would like to thank my husband, Bassel & three boys Issa 16, Ayden 13 & Yusef 10. They come to every event, help with all that goes into the events. Love you all so much! Blessed and happy to help everyone in need!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s a lot of work!!! It’s not easy! I always have a goal when I raise money for the orphans of GiveLight. Almost every time, I go past that goal! I post a lot on social media when I have GiveLight events. Every event I do I have a beautiful mix of people from all over Florida!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love helping those in need. It’s a great feeling. I feel like for me, God always makes it easy for me to collect donations for the orphans because they are angels. Being head of the Orlando chapter has been a lot of work but I do have a small committee that help me so much! I have three boys; I want them to grow up to give back to others. Every time I do an event for GiveLight, I have my husband and 3 boys that always support me. My goal is to have my own charity very soon. I know having my own is super hard. I work hard, and love staying busy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lailamaali
Image Credits
@remainphotography @forerophotography @shotbyraian
