STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 What started as a simple request for help turned into a day of joy for hundreds of children at PS 74 in Tompkinsville. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday, every student \u2014 roughly 250 in all \u2014 walked away with a brand-new pair of sneakers, thanks to the generosity of a Staten Island teen.<\/p>\n
Carolyn Mian, a special education teacher at the school, reached out to Rami Rifi, a junior at Staten Island Academy and the founder of the Play Passion Project, to see if he could assist students. Rifi didn\u2019t hesitate. Through his charity, which focuses on donating sneakers to children, he made sure no child was left out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about more than just the sneakers,\u201d Rifi said. \u201cIt\u2019s about giving back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The impact was clear in the smiles of the students \u2014 and on Rifi\u2019s face \u2014 as he handed out each pair. <\/p>\n
His mother wasn\u2019t surprised.<\/p>\n
\u201cRami has always been like this,\u201d she said. \u201cHe would give away his snack to someone who forgot theirs at school. We preach kindness at home, but Rami goes way beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spring cleaning turns into global movement<\/p>\n