CHALDEAN CHAMBER MARKS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Chamber President Ben Kalasho with Lemon Grove Councilwoman Racquel Vasquez
December 11, 2014 (San Diego) --The East County Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce celebrated its one-year anniversary in late November with a gala anniversary party at Barfly in La Jolla.
Guests included elected officials from San Diego, Santee and Lemon Grove as well as many local business owners. Chamber President Ben Kalasho also presented awards to honor business leaders and supporters of the Chamber, which was established to represent Iraqi Chaldean-American businesses and also has many non-Chaldean members.
“Touchdown!” he exclaimed as Barfly’s TVs displayed a football score. The phrase applies equally well to the Chamber, that has had a winning first year, hosting events ranging from business mixers to a beauty pageant, also participating in charitable events and working to help save lives of Chaldeans still in Iraq.
Vivian Shabilla, a Chamber board member, praised the young people who have become involved in the Chamber. “The youth are the ones who are carrying the torch to the next generation.”
She praised the many hard-working Chaldean immigrants who pioneered the way for others., “Because we are from the Middle East a lot of people don’t know that we have such a rich culture. America was founded by people, foreigners who came here from all over the world and found their newfound land and freedom in every way.”
Photos: Below left, President Ben Kalasho with owners of Glamour Salon and Spa Dalia and Najila Hanna; Below left, Santee Councilmember Ronn Hall and his wife, Virginia.
