📢 Upcoming Virtual Event – October 15
We're honored to welcome author, journalist, and activist Sim Kern for a powerful conversation on their latest book: Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation.
We hope you'll join us for what promises to be an inspiring conversation!
Welcome to
Sunnyside Families
Love Palestine
A community effort to support families in Gaza.
Welcome to
Sunnyside Families
Love Palestine
A community effort to support families in Gaza.
Current Goal
Help 17-Year Old Salma Get to $15,000 to Support Her Widowed Mother and Siblings
Current Goal
Help 17-Year Old Salma Get to $15,000 to Support Her Widowed Mother and Siblings
Salma is just 17 years old—but she’s already endured more hardship than most do in a lifetime.
When she first created this fundraiser, it was a desperate attempt to save her beloved father, who needed dialysis. Tragically, due to lack of access to medical care, he passed away in December 2024. Now, Salma, her widowed mother, and her siblings are struggling to survive—fighting every day to afford food and hold onto their home.
Over the past two years, life has become unimaginably difficult for this family. At one point, they were forced to live in a single overcrowded room shared with 30 others. Salma’s brother was unjustly imprisoned by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) for 50 days. He was abused, malnourished, and barely recognizable when he returned.
Their mother suffers from chronic pain and severe osteoarthritis, worsened by the harsh living conditions. Despite this, she works daily—pushing through her pain to support her children. Salma worries about her constantly.
Still, Salma remains determined. She continues attending a small local school, even though hunger often leaves her dizzy and weak. She should be preparing for graduation, dreaming of college—but instead, she’s focused on keeping her family alive. And yet, despite everything, she still holds hope for a better future.
Gaza is being devastated by inflation and blockade. A single bag of flour can now cost hundreds of dollars. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often simply unavailable. Your support helps Salma’s family purchase food, medicine, and essentials—when and if they become available at local markets.
Support Salma, Her Widowed Mother, and Her Siblings in Gaza
Thank you for standing with this brave young woman and her family. Your solidarity truly means the world.
Salma is just 17 years old—but she’s already endured more hardship than most do in a lifetime.
When she first created this fundraiser, it was a desperate attempt to save her beloved father, who needed dialysis. Tragically, due to lack of access to medical care, he passed away in December 2024. Now, Salma, her widowed mother, and her siblings are struggling to survive—fighting every day to afford food and hold onto their home.
Over the past two years, life has become unimaginably difficult for this family. At one point, they were forced to live in a single overcrowded room shared with 30 others. Salma’s brother was unjustly imprisoned by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) for 50 days. He was abused, malnourished, and barely recognizable when he returned.
Their mother suffers from chronic pain and severe osteoarthritis, worsened by the harsh living conditions. Despite this, she works daily—pushing through her pain to support her children. Salma worries about her constantly.
Still, Salma remains determined. She continues attending a small local school, even though hunger often leaves her dizzy and weak. She should be preparing for graduation, dreaming of college—but instead, she’s focused on keeping her family alive. And yet, despite everything, she still holds hope for a better future.
Gaza is being devastated by inflation and blockade. A single bag of flour can now cost hundreds of dollars. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often simply unavailable. Your support helps Salma’s family purchase food, medicine, and essentials—when and if they become available at local markets.
Support Salma, Her Widowed Mother, and Her Siblings in Gaza
Thank you for standing with this brave young woman and her family. Your solidarity truly means the world.
About Sunnyside Families Love Palestine
Sunnyside Families Love Palestine is the project of four mothers whose hearts are broken over the suffering in Palestine, and have struggled to know how to help.
Our goal is to galvanize our community here in beautiful Sunnyside, Queens, as well as our greater communities around the world to support families enduring the genocide in Palestine.
Thanks to the incredible work of our Palestinian-American friend we’ve connected with three families currently living in Gaza and are now providing them with the financial support they need to get their basic necessities like food, clothing, diapers, and medical care for themselves, their children, and their aging parents.
Every one of the families we’re supporting has lost so much: their homes, their loved ones, the ability to meet the daily needs of their children. Let's do what we can to give them love.
Meet the Other Families We're Helping
Adda & Lizu’s Campaign for Sheren, Her Husband, and Their Three Children Manmood, Sara, and Baby Ahmed
Sheren and her husband are raising three children—Manmood, Sara, and baby Ahmed, just six months old—in the northern Gaza Strip. They lost their home and only source of income, a taxi, and have been displaced twelve times since the start of the occupation.
Now living with relatives, they struggle daily to afford food and basics—Sheren even uses old clothing as cloth diapers because baby diapers cost $150 USD.
This campaign helps Sheren feed her children and care for baby Ahmed, while showing her family they are not alone.
Evelyn's Campaign for Dalia, Mo'men, and their two boys Marwan & Malek
Evelyn's campaign supports Dalia and her husband Mo’men who are parents to two young boys—Marwan (4) and Malek, just over one year old, born during the war. Dalia and her husband both lost their jobs and income due to the ongoing war. Over the past two years, Dalia and her family have been displaced multiple times, surviving in a tent before finally securing a small rented room thanks to support from this campaign. They are doing all they can to parent with love and patience in the midst of unimaginable hardship.
About Sunnyside Families Love Palestine
Sunnyside Families Love Palestine is the project of four mothers whose hearts are broken over the suffering in Palestine, and have struggled to know how to help.
Our goal is to galvanize our community here in beautiful Sunnyside, Queens, as well as our greater communities around the world to support families enduring the genocide in Palestine.
Thanks to the incredible work of our Palestinian-American friend we’ve connected with three families currently living in Gaza and are now providing them with the financial support they need to get their basic necessities like food, clothing, diapers, and medical care for themselves, their children, and their aging parents.
Every one of the families we’re supporting has lost so much: their homes, their loved ones, the ability to meet the daily needs of their children. Let's do what we can to give them love.
Meet the Other Families We're Helping
Adda & Lizu’s Campaign for Sheren, Her Husband, and Their Three Children Manmood, Sara, and Baby Ahmed
Sheren and her husband are raising three children—Manmood, Sara, and baby Ahmed, just six months old—in the northern Gaza Strip. They lost their home and only source of income, a taxi, and have been displaced twelve times since the start of the occupation.
Now living with relatives, they struggle daily to afford food and basics—Sheren even uses old clothing as cloth diapers because baby diapers cost $150 USD.
This campaign helps Sheren feed her children and care for baby Ahmed, while showing her family they are not alone.
Evelyn's campaign supports Dalia and her husband Mo’men who are parents to two young boys—Marwan (4) and Malek, just over one year old, born during the war.
Dalia and her husband both lost their jobs and income due to the ongoing war.
Over the past two years, Dalia and her family have been displaced multiple times, surviving in a tent before finally securing a small rented room thanks to support from this campaign.
They are doing all they can to parent with love and patience in the midst of unimaginable hardship.
The Sunnyside Moms
Hi! I’m Erica — Sunnyside local since 2011, lifelong runner, politics nerd, and professional environmentalist. But my favorite title? Mom to my two boys. We absolutely love our vibrant and diverse borough and some of our favorite places include Rockaway Beach, the Queens Zoo, Sunnyside Gardens Park, and Steinway Street in Astoria.
Alongside my husband, our family has been standing up for justice in Palestine since 2023. We were lucky to meet Salma and are honored to support her family. We’re teaching our kids that love means action — and that we show up for each other. Join us.
Hi 👋, I'm Adda, a mom of two boys and most summer days you can find us playing at Sunnyside Gardens Park or taking a dip in the Windmuller Pool. I've lived in Sunnyside with my husband since 2015, and we're so grateful for this community—in fact I often describe Sunnyside as heaven on earth!
I've felt awful watching the events of the last few years unfold in Palestine, and it's been so hard to know what I can do to help, but connecting with Sheren has made me realize that there is plenty to do and I hope you will join me in sending as much love and support to Palestine as we can.
Hi! I'm Evelyn. I'm a native Sunnysider raising my family in the community I grew up in. I have been fundraising for Dalia, Mo'men, and their two boys for over a year, since their youngest child, Malek, was a newborn (Malek is now walking!). I have spoken with them almost daily during this time, and I know the campaign is a lifeline for them--both in terms of literal day to day survival and in terms of the psychological support of knowing that people care and want to help. I recently was able to help connect Adda and Erica with Salma and Shreene, and this website was born. I am so, so grateful for all the support this community has provided Dalia and Mo'men over the past year, and I hope that now even more people can learn how we really can make a difference by donating directly to families in need.
Hi, I’m Lizu — originally from Romania and a mom of two wonderful girls. I'm not from Sunnyside, but thanks to my amazing friend Adda, I connected to this beautiful community.
Since everything began unfolding in Palestine in 2023, it’s been incredibly hard, especially as a mother. I’ve felt heartbroken, powerless, and I haven’t known what to say to my daughters. But joining this group changed something for me, because now I can tell them: I’m doing something. I’m not just crying or feeling depressed, I’m taking action. And maybe, along the way, I’ll start believing in this world again.
I’m so grateful to stand with others in love and solidarity for Palestine.
The Sunnyside Moms
Hi! I’m Erica — Sunnyside local since 2011, lifelong runner, politics nerd, and professional environmentalist. But my favorite title? Mom to my two boys. We absolutely love our vibrant and diverse borough and some of our favorite places include Rockaway Beach, the Queens Zoo, Sunnyside Gardens Park, and Steinway Street in Astoria.
Alongside my husband, our family has been standing up for justice in Palestine since 2023. We were lucky to meet Salma and are honored to support her family. We’re teaching our kids that love means action — and that we show up for each other. Join us.
Hi 👋, I'm Adda, a mom of two boys and most summer days you can find us playing at Sunnyside Gardens Park or taking a dip in the Windmuller Pool. I've lived in Sunnyside with my husband since 2015, and we're so grateful for this community—in fact I often describe Sunnyside as heaven on earth!
I've felt awful watching the events of the last few years unfold in Palestine, and it's been so hard to know what I can do to help, but connecting with Sheren has made me realize that there is plenty to do and I hope you will join me in sending as much love and support to Palestine as we can.
Hi! I'm Evelyn. I'm a native Sunnysider raising my family in the community I grew up in. I have been fundraising for Dalia, Mo'men, and their two boys for over a year, since their youngest child, Malek, was a newborn (Malek is now walking!). I have spoken with them almost daily during this time, and I know the campaign is a lifeline for them--both in terms of literal day to day survival and in terms of the psychological support of knowing that people care and want to help.
I recently was able to help connect Adda and Erica with Salma and Shreene, and this website was born. I am so, so grateful for all the support this community has provided Dalia and Mo'men over the past year, and I hope that now even more people can learn how we really can make a difference by donating directly to families in need.
Hi, I’m Lizu — originally from Romania and a mom of two wonderful girls. I'm not from Sunnyside, but thanks to my amazing friend Adda, I connected to this beautiful community.
Since everything began unfolding in Palestine in 2023, it’s been incredibly hard, especially as a mother. I’ve felt heartbroken, powerless, and I haven’t known what to say to my daughters. But joining this group changed something for me, because now I can tell them: I’m doing something. I’m not just crying or feeling depressed, I’m taking action. And maybe, along the way, I’ll start believing in this world again.
I’m so grateful to stand with others in love and solidarity for Palestine.
FAQs
What is mutual aid, and how is it different from charity?
Mutual aid is about solidarity, not charity—it involves people directly supporting one another in crisis, often outside of institutions, with the goal of meeting immediate needs while resisting systemic injustice.
Is this donation tax-deductible?
No, donations to our mutual aid campaigns are not tax-deductible.
How does the money get to the families?
All of the fundraisers are run in partnership with our friend and she is able to send money to her family members when they need it.
I keep hearing that there is no food in Gaza so what can the families do with the money we give?
It’s true that food has been extremely scarce in Gaza due to Israel’s blockade that has severely restricted the entry of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid since March 2. This is compounded by widespread destruction of infrastructure from continuous bombing. This has caused food prices to skyrocket and left many without access to basic necessities.
When Governments and institutions fail, we must turn to mutual aid. Small donations sent person-to-person can mean food, medicine, or shelter today, not weeks from now—keeping hope and dignity alive in impossible conditions. It’s so important that these families have the funds to obtain any and all food and necessities they can find during these extremely trying and unpredictable circumstances.
What is Chuffed and is it trustworthy?
Chuffed.org is a global crowdfunding platform for social causes, built for nonprofits, community groups, and individuals raising funds for issues like healthcare, education, and justice.
It charges no platform fees—donors cover only payment processing and can choose to tip Chuffed, or not. The platform offers campaign tools like team fundraising, analytics, and branded emails, plus support through its Chuffed Academy.
We trust Chuffed! The platform has a good reputation, an established track record, and key security and privacy safeguards.
Can I give anonymously?
Yes, you can donate anonymously on Chuffed, but if you'd prefer you can also send money to us via Venmo or Zelle, and we will pass that money along to the families. Please email us at sunnysidefamileslovepalestine@gmail.com.
I only have a small amount of money to donate, should I still give?
All donations help, no matter how big or small. Please give what you can, we so appreciate your support ❤️.
I don't have any money to donate, can I still help?
Yes, there are so many other ways to support the families! The easiest thing you can do is to get the word out about them and let other people know that they can support the families by donating to their fundraisers.
Please share the links to their fundraising pages, the link to this page (sunnysidefamilieslovepalestine.com), or to our instagram account @sunnysidefamilieslovepalestine
I donated, but I want to do more. What can I do?
Help us spread the word! Share the link to this page (sunnysidefamilieslovepalestine.com) with your friends and greater community. We've found that social media, text messages, WhatsApp and Facebook groups, or just email are all great ways to get the word out.
Here're links to sample messages for you to customize:
FAQs
What is mutual aid, and how is it different from charity?
Mutual aid is about solidarity, not charity—it involves people directly supporting one another in crisis, often outside of institutions, with the goal of meeting immediate needs while resisting systemic injustice.
Is this donation tax-deductible?
No, donations to our mutual aid campaigns are not tax-deductible.
How does the money get to the families?
All of the fundraisers are part of Taleed El-Sabawi's greater campaign, via the Chuffed platform, to raise money for over 80 members of her family who currently live in Palestine. Taleed has set up bank accounts for every family and is able to send them money as they need it.
I keep hearing that there is no food in Gaza so what can the families do with the money we give?
It’s true that food has been extremely scarce in Gaza due to Israel’s blockade that has severely restricted the entry of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid since March 2. This is compounded by widespread destruction of infrastructure from continuous bombing. This has caused food prices to skyrocket and left many without access to basic necessities.
When Governments and institutions fail, we must turn to mutual aid. Small donations sent person-to-person can mean food, medicine, or shelter today, not weeks from now—keeping hope and dignity alive in impossible conditions. It’s so important that these families have the funds to obtain any and all food and necessities they can find during these extremely trying and unpredictable circumstances.
What is Chuffed and is it trustworthy?
Chuffed.org is a global crowdfunding platform for social causes, built for nonprofits, community groups, and individuals raising funds for issues like healthcare, education, and justice.
It charges no platform fees—donors cover only payment processing and can choose to tip Chuffed, or not. The platform offers campaign tools like team fundraising, analytics, and branded emails, plus support through its Chuffed Academy.
We trust Chuffed! The platform has a good reputation, an established track record, and key security and privacy safeguards.
Can I give anonymously?
All of the fundraisers are part of Taleed El-Sabawi's greater campaign, via the Chuffed platform, to raise money for over 80 members of her family who currently live in Palestine. Taleed has set up bank accounts for every family and is able to send them money as they need it.
I only have a small amount of money to donate, should I still give?
All donations help, no matter how big or small. Please give what you can, we so appreciate your support ❤️.
I don't have any money to donate, can I still help?
Yes, there are so many other ways to support the families! The easiest thing you can do is to get the word out about them and let other people know that they can support the families by donating to their fundraisers.
Please share the links to their fundraising pages, the link to this page (sunnysidefamilieslovepalestine.com), or to our instagram account @
I donated, but I want to do more. What can I do?
Help us spread the word! Share the link to this page (sunnysidefamilieslovepalestine.com) with your friends and greater community. We've found that social media, text messages, WhatsApp and Facebook groups, or just email are all great ways to get the word out.
Here're links to sample messages for you to customize:
Want to get involved?
Everyone who wants to help is welcome, the families in Palestine need all the support that we can give! Follow us on Instagram to learn more:
Want to get involved?
Everyone who wants to help is welcome, the families in Palestine need all the support that we can give!
Follow us on Instagram to learn more.
©2025 Sunnyside Families Love Palestine. All rights reserved.