On July 20,  Friends of Morocco sponsored a reception in Bethesda, MD, celebrating Dr. Yossef Ben Meir in recognition of his being the 2026 recipient of the Sargent Shriver Award, for his more than 30 years of humanitarian work in Morocco and particularly more than 26 years in the leadership of the High Atlas Foundation.

The Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service is the highest honor bestowed by the National Peace Corps Association  It is presented annually to a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer or social entrepreneur for sustained, impactful humanitarian contributions globally or domestically. 

Friends of Morocco is an organization of Americans, mostly returned Peace Corps Volunteers, with experience in Morocco and Moroccans in the United States united with an interest in promoting educational, cultural, charitable, social, literary and scientific exchange between Morocco and the United States of America.

The 80 guests who attended the reception were a wide range of former Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in Morocco, staff from the Moroccan Embassy in Washington, DC, early sponsors of the HAF organization’s work, early and continuing donors, and former colleagues who served with the organization.

While guests dined on a delicious variety of Moroccan dishes, Dr. Ben-Meir orchestrated a room-wide discussion with guests sharing stories from early sponsors, including Sir Charles Dahan. Many shared their experiences and acknowledgement of Yossef’s dedication and work as well as appreciation of others who had been involved with the foundation over the past decades and the continuing work and impact now across all of Morocco.

It was a heart-warming as well as entertaining evening.