The Meelia Center hosted a charity dodgeball tournament April 13 as a benefit fundraiser for Aiman Youssef, a Staten Island man who has given everything he has to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Youssef, a victim of the hurricane himself, lost much of his house and property to the storm, ruining his home and his small business. Owner of an internet-based EBay trading story, Youssef lost his entire inventory to Sandy.
In response to the devastation around him, however, Youssef decided to help the rest of his community get back on its feet. Rather than rebuild his house, Youssef set up a community relief site in front of where the space used to be.
For months Youssef has been a static part of the community, helping hundreds of Sandy victims a day. He distributes hot food, non-perishable food items, and other donations that come his way for the relief effort.
Because he lost his own house, Youssef has been living in a hotel on FEMA relief funding, a very tough way to live. Every two weeks, his situation is reevaluated and a decision is made whether he is allowed to continue his work.
The Meelia Center hosted a very successful tournament, raising $2,000 total, with over 150 participants.
“The campus really enjoyed it,” said Riley Duggan ’15, the coordinator of the tournament. “We definitely plan to hold the event again next year.”
The tournament was a huge success according to the Meelia staff, both in terms of the physical fundraising and in the sheer amount of enjoyment had by everyone present. People from all different groups on campus, and even Kids’ Café from off campus, showed up in droves to either play or watch.
The Meelia Center staff plans to travel to Staten Island May 13 on a surprise visit to present Youssef with a check to support him and his efforts.