This story highlights one of four local finalists for the Jefferson Awards, which recognize people for their community service. This year’s ceremony was held digitally Thursday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Nicole Khoury jokes that she is often the first person whom people in the area call when they want to have a fundraiser.
That's because of the success she has had as the founder of Project iAm and with its annual fundraiser Acoustics for Autism. And that generous spirit is what has made Ms. Khoury a finalist for the 2020 Jefferson Awards.
Ms. Khoury, who is a lawyer by trade and currently a judge in Toledo Municipal Court, started Acoustics for Autism 13 years ago and it has grown into a huge event that raises significant money that goes straight to the families of children with autism.
“We started 13 years ago with one bar and 17 bands on a stage and now we are at over 80 bands with seven stages and take over an entire block,” Ms. Khoury said. “What started off as me in my basement is still me in my basement, but it's a huge group of volunteers that have almost become like a corporation, if that makes sense. We stay very true to our mission. The whole thing started out because I didn't like the idea that there were other organizations raising the money and then the money wasn't going to families. ...To be able to stay true to our word after 13 years and all the success we've had is actually a really good thing.”
Project iAm is 100 percent volunteer-based and is purely a fundraising source. The non-profit accepts scholarship submissions and gives out grants and money to families affected by autism.
Project iAm began with the first Acoustics for Autism event in 2008. That event raised about $8,000 proceeds after expenses for families of children with autism. Project iAm and Acoustics for Autism has grown, and this year's event raised about $130,000 after expenses.
“There's no better feeling than having these kids that have been part of our lives for 13 years now, some of them, and they went from not saying a word to now they can say my name and walk up to me and give me a hug when they won't touch anything else,” Ms. Khoury said. “That's a feeling you can't explain. It's something very, very special. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.”
Aside from Acoustics for Autism, Ms. Khoury also volunteers for Mom's House Toledo and the Pride of Toledo Foundation.
“I have a good life and I've always had a good life and I think that it's important to give back to the community,” Ms. Khoury said. “The community has been good to me, so why wouldn't I be good back? If I see something wrong or unjust or something that's really bugging me, I'm the person that wants to go do something about it and not just sit back and complain about it. That's kind of been my M.O. (modus operandi) for my whole life. I don't sit on my hands for anything. I feel guilty when someone does something for me. I have to repay it tenfold because that's just who I am. I think being able to take your talents, whatever they may be — whether it's fundraising, music, art, or whatever — and be able to help and benefit other people purely because you want to and not because you are getting paid for it, there's no better feeling in the world than that.”
First Published April 3, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
