That moment can become memorable.
It turns an abstract idea like “work hard for your future” into something immediate and visible.
Some Students Choose Things Their Families Need
One of the most interesting parts of the story is what students sometimes choose when they are given the opportunity to pick items from the store.
It might be candy or chips.
It might be a drink.
But sometimes the choices are more practical.
The Washington Post described students selecting groceries and household necessities for their families. One student, for example, used the opportunity to choose eggs for his mother, who was a baker, along with snacks for himself. Stars and Stripes
That detail adds another dimension to the program.
The reward is not necessarily about giving children luxury items.
For some families, groceries are useful.
For a child, being able to choose something for a parent can make the experience even more meaningful.
Instead of simply receiving a prize, the student can participate in deciding what the reward should become.
A child might choose something fun.
Another might choose something the family needs.
Another might choose school supplies.
The important part is that the student is being given a moment of agency.
Social Media Changed Everything
Without social media, “Grades for Grabs” might have remained a small neighborhood tradition.
Instead, Alselwi’s videos turned the idea into a highly visible online phenomenon.
His social media presence, particularly on TikTok, allowed people outside Staten Island to see students entering the deli, presenting their report cards and receiving encouragement.
The format worked naturally on video.
There is a beginning: a student walks into the store.
There is anticipation: the report card is presented.
There is recognition: Alselwi reacts to the grades.
And there is a conclusion: the student receives a reward and leaves smiling.
The Washington Post reported that Alselwi documented these interactions on TikTok, with parental permission, and that many of the videos went viral. The Washington Post
The videos also created a feedback loop.
The more people watched, the more people heard about the program.
The more people heard about it, the more students wanted to participate.
And the more students participated, the more content was created.
Eventually, children from outside the immediate Staten Island community began learning about the initiative.
NBC News reported that students from beyond the neighborhood had become aware of the program, while ABC News later reported that Alselwi was seeing students from across the country. NBC New York
A neighborhood idea had become a national social-media story.
The Community Wanted to Help
As the program grew, something else happened.
People began asking Alselwi how they could contribute.
At first, he was largely funding the rewards himself. But as the number of students increased, it became increasingly difficult for one small business owner to carry the entire financial burden.
That was when community support became important.
Alselwi created a GoFundMe campaign called “Inspire Academic Excellence with Islandock.”
According to the fundraiser’s description, the money is intended to support snacks, cash prizes and other parts of the “Grades for Grabs” initiative. Alselwi explains that he created the fundraiser because he wanted to continue supporting as many children as possible. GoFundMe
The fundraiser has since grown dramatically.
ABC News reported on August 31, 2026, that the campaign had surpassed $500,000 after rising from roughly $70,000 the previous summer. ABC News
The GoFundMe page currently displays $608,123 raised toward a $650,000 goal, with more than 13,000 donations listed on the page. Because crowdfunding totals can change as new donations arrive, the exact figure should be treated as a current snapshot rather than a permanent number. GoFundMe
That makes the original story even more remarkable.
One student.
One promise.