{"id":2663,"date":"2025-11-12T12:28:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T12:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/?p=2663"},"modified":"2025-11-12T12:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T12:28:31","slug":"how-one-new-york-deli-owner-is-motivating-students-nationwide-with-his-330k-grades-for-grabs-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/?p=2663","title":{"rendered":"How one New York deli owner is motivating students nationwide with his $330K \u201cGrades for Grabs\u201d project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Simple Idea That Sparked a Movement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It all began with a simple but brilliant idea: any kid who walked into Zack\u2019s Finest Deli &amp; Grocery in Staten Island, New York with good grades could get anything they wanted from the store. Wail Alselwi, a co-partner of the deli, often livestreams while working behind the counter. Known online as \u201cIsland Ock\u201d, he has become a favorite among kids who eagerly show him their report cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-350-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-75995\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The First Challenge: A Bet With a 12-Year-Old<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, the idea took shape when a 12-year-old boy named Zameir Davis proudly shared his grades with Wail. Around the same time, Wail launched a TikTok page featuring funny videos and clips of him cooking at the deli. He would also occasionally quiz kids on math and geography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seeing Zameir\u2019s excitement, Wail made him a promise: if he earned a 90% average and made the honor roll, he could choose anything from the store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-351.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-75996\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe shook hands, and two days later, Zameir came with his report card. He did good but didn\u2019t make it. I had a bet with him and said, \u2018If you make it to the honor roll, I\u2019ll give you whatever you want from the store,\u2019\u201d Wail told&nbsp;<em>Stay Inspired.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zameir continued updating him daily after school. At first, he missed the mark, but by the end of the year, he finally achieved honor-roll status. He ran into the store shouting, \u201cI told you I was going to do it!\u201d The emotional moment was filmed and quickly went viral, launching what would become the \u201cGrades for Grabs\u201d movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-352.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-75997\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More Students Join the Challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the viral moment, Wail realized he could motivate more kids. Students from Staten Island and beyond \u2014 even from Brooklyn and Pennsylvania, began visiting the deli to show him their report cards. Wail made similar deals with them: achieve good grades, and they could pick anything from the store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, he funded everything himself, determined to inspire his community\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A GoFundMe Raises Over $330,000<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On March 22, 2025, Wail\u2019s brother Nashwan created a GoFundMe page as many people wanted to support the initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-354.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-75999\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By November 2025, the fundraiser had collected more than&nbsp;<strong>$330,000 from 7,100 donors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The funds now provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>free snacks for students who improve their grades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cash prizes to motivate high academic achievement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>community programs that make learning fun and rewarding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not just about giving $100 or free snacks. The kids get inspired more when they see themselves in the videos. They see themselves being acknowledged by a lot of people\u201d, Wail told&nbsp;<em>Stay Inspired.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Students Inspired to Excel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One such student is 17-year-old Madison Mayas. After previously scoring 98.0%, Wail challenged her to do even better, and she returned with a perfect 100.0%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-355.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-76000\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another student, 11-year-old Russell Vinson, proudly showed Wail his 92.67% average. Wail gave him $100 and told him he could pick anything he wanted in the store. Many viewers noticed that several students chose essential items for their families, such as milk, eggs, and laundry detergent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Hall of Fame for Hard-Working Kids<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wail even transformed a wall outside the deli into a \u201cHall of Fame Wall\u201d. The first name placed there was Zameir Davis, followed by Madison, Russell, and Daisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-356.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-76001\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students who earn a 90+ average receive $100. But Wail also rewards improvement: if a student raises a failing grade to a 70 or 80, they still get $100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wail\u2019s Journey and the Inspiration Behind His Kindness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before opening Zack\u2019s Finest Deli &amp; Grocery, Wail ran a deli in the Bronx from 2019 to 2022. The neighborhood had high crime rates, and a shooting occurred at the deli, one he survived unharmed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the deli closed. Discouraged, Wail considered giving up, but his brother Nashwan pushed him to try again. Together, they moved to Staten Island and opened a new deli with their partner Zack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wail, originally from Yemen, is 36 years old. He has a wife and three daughters back home. He visits them during vacations and hopes to bring them to New York. He also monitors his daughters\u2019 grades closely and posts videos celebrating their achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-357.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-76002\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His kindness, he says, comes from his father, Mohammed Alselwi. \u201cI couldn\u2019t be prouder of Wail\u201d, Mohammed said. \u201cHe\u2019s taken his passion for helping others and turned it into something amazing. He\u2019s showing the world what it means to be a true leader and a positive influence in his community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/readydailytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-358.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-76003\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m showing every kid that it\u2019s not about perfection. It\u2019s about progress. The smiles on the kids\u2019 faces, their determination\u2026 that\u2019s what makes me want to keep going\u201d, Wail said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Simple Idea That Sparked a Movement It all began with a simple but brilliant idea: any kid who walked into Zack\u2019s Finest Deli &amp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/581074985_873592085342208_859562358668835257_n.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2663"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2665,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2663\/revisions\/2665"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}