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A Star Studded Night for a Family in Need

A Star Studded Night for a Family in Need

Posted: Oct 26th 2006 By: CMBurnham

Sports stars with preternatural athletic strength did a good turn last night for a family that faces each day with the strength of optimism and simple grace.

The Hamad family lives in a rental in Willowbrook that was nearly destroyed in a fire last December, sending them on a hotel-room odyssey.

The three-bedroom home has since been repaired and they have moved back, but without handicap-accessible ramps and showers, lifts and widened hallways, it will never really be a home to this family of seven children -- the eldest of whom, Mahmoud, died in 2004 of muscular dystrophy, the disease that has put two of his brothers in wheelchairs.

More than 200 people gathered at a fund-raiser at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, to mingle with the New York Jets' Shaun Ellis, pro wrestler Mick Foley (Mankind) and daytime TV actors, score autographs and bid on sports paraphernalia to advance what had been Mahmoud's dream: A home where he could bathe himself in a real shower and have a room of his own.

The charismatic Mahmoud died a year after graduating from intermediate school, a casualty of a severe form of the progressive disease that ultimately kills by stopping the lungs.

"I have a lot faith in God. I believe there's a reason for everything," said Noha Hamad, about how she has handled circumstances that might have buckled others. "I have got to have that laughing spirit. If you don't, it is too difficult."

Each day, she gives sponge baths to her sons Abdel Kareem, 15, and Ahmed, 11, because their home cannot accommodate the wheelchairs.

The longtime members of the national Muscular Dystrophy Association were introduced to grid stars Ellis and John Abraham and grappler Foley through the organization six years ago, and the relationship with the stars has only deepened.

With the help of the celebrities who dedicated their time, and the Mid Island Rotary Club, which organized the fund-raiser, last night's event brought in what is expected to be thousands of dollars, and brought the family close to the dream.

"Sometimes it's hard to pick and choose whom you're going to help," said Ron Mannanice, South Shore Rotary Club member, referring to the multitude of charitable causes Rotarians can pursue. "Once you meet this family, there is no choice. To meet the children and see their smiles is all you need."

About two dozen signed football helmets, jerseys and photos from sports heroes past and present lined the wall of the banquet hall. Among them were autographed pictures of running back Jim Brown, Arnold Schwarzenegger (before his foray into politics), golf's Tiger Woods in the bloom of youth and Willie Mays making his famous 1954 World Series catch.

A signed note from Muhammad Ali, written in February 1980, summed up with uncanny clarity the spirit of the evening: "Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on Earth," the boxer wrote in looping script on a page next to a photo of him in his prime. "Enjoy Life. It's later than you think."

"It's not like I am saying, 'Why am I here, why am I created like this?'" said Abdel Kareem, a student at Susan Wagner High School who hopes to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, as he held court from his electric wheelchair, dressed in a smart pink oxford shift and gray pinstriped slacks. "I am trying to live my life. I have got to face life."

Kareem's spirit, and that of his late brother Mahmoud and the entire family, has been an inspiration, said the Jets' Ellis.

"They have helped change my life. ... It makes me more grateful. They are like family," he said, as he signed cards, footballs and jerseys for dozens of young fans.

"It's nice to see the community come out like this," said Foley of World Wrestling Entertainment, who also has known the Hamads for years through the organization. "They've been through so much, they should at least have a proper roof over their heads."

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

  • 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
  • 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
  • 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
  • 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
  • 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
  • 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
  • 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
  • 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
  • 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2026 Heavy Metal Mario def. Abismo Negro, Jr. for the EDW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
  • 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2026 Logan Knight def. Nate Bourne for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 10-23 2026 Sean Ryan def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Openweight Title
  • 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
10-24
  • Bobby Lambert Oct 24th Today!
  • Ray Durán Oct 24th Today!
  • Daniel Powers Oct 24th Today!
  • Bill Dundee Oct 24th Today!
  • Phil Shark Oct 25th
  • Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
  • Paige Turner Oct 25th
  • Double D Oct 25th
  • Halo Oct 26th
  • Eddie Williams Oct 26th
  • Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
  • Troy Graham Oct 26th
  • Miss Linda Oct 27th
  • AWOL Oct 27th
  • Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
  • MVP Oct 28th
  • Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
  • Jake Boulder Oct 28th
  • Chris Smith Oct 28th
  • Mischief Oct 29th
  • D. J. Hall Oct 29th
  • Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
  • Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
  • Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
  • Debbie Combs Oct 30th
  • George Wells Oct 30th
  • Danny McShain Oct 30th
  • Jayson Boss Oct 31st
  • Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
  • Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
  • Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
  • Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
  • Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
  • Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
  • Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
  • Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
  • Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
  • Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd
  • Jimmie Deen Nov 4th
  • Assassin 1 Nov 4th
  • Max Leon Nov 4th
  • Bill Decker Nov 5th
  • Christopher Samuel Dean Nov 5th
  • Jules Strongbow [2nd] Nov 5th
  • Chris Chaos Nov 5th
  • David Jason Rose Nov 5th
  • Darin Matthews Nov 6th
  • Brian Faith Nov 6th
  • Frank Dunbar Nov 6th
  • Lu Kim Nov 6th
  • Ken Patera Nov 6th

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