Volunteers work to fill boxes with games for local families as part of the No Kid Without An Eid at HYPE Athletics June 13.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The gym floor of Hype Athletics, 23302 W. Warren Ave., was filled with volunteers June 13 preparing gift boxes to be sent to local residents for the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
No Kid Without An Eid is an initiative led by Malak Saab and Latifeh Sabbagh to reignite the spirit of the holiday.
“We were inspired by the Goodfellows’ ‘No Child Without a Christmas’ yearly campaign, but wanted to highlight the Eid holiday and make it a big deal just like other holidays,” Sabbagh said.
Each year, the Eid Al-Fitr holiday marks the ending of the holy month of Ramadan where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Along with fasting, it is a time for Muslims to practice self-discipline, read the Quran, perform good deeds or charity, and other activities to learn about the teachings of Islam.
The Eid gift box idea was born in March and donation collection for the gifts began in May through word of mouth. For the inaugural gift boxing, Saab and Sabbagh collected donations from the community in order to purchase and distribute family oriented games to local residents.
“Games in the boxes are met to allow families to get off their electronics and gadgets and instead interact with each other,” Sabbagh said.
After games were purchased, Hype was contacted for storage space, and founder and CEO Ali Sayed generously agreed. On June 13, volunteers filled the boxes with the games and a note during the packing process.
Saab and Sabbagh selected families in need to receive the boxes on June 14 through the Dearborn Public Schools.
“During the deliveries, parents will answer the door to receive the boxes so the children will not know who gifted the games,” Sabbagh said. “This way the integrity and purpose of the initiative remains intact.”
After years spent talking about starting the initiative, Saab and Sabbagh said they were happy they did it and hope to accomplish their mission annually.
“We’ve always talked about igniting the Eid spirit within the community and now we are taking steps to do so,” Saab said. “This is just the beginning and we hope everyone out there enjoys the holiday.”
For more information or to contact the No Kid Without An Eid initiative, email [email protected].
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)