Remembering and Honoring Our Three Winners

Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu-Salha had big ideas for how they wanted to help the world. One of Deah’s last facebook posts was of an evening where he and Yusor were giving food and free dental supplies to the homeless. Razan, was a regular at Raleigh’s Moore Square, where she too fed and helped those in need as a leader in the community. 

Opportunities for Service

Habitat for Humanity #BuildABlock

In partnership with Habitat Wake and hardworking families in our community, NC State has pledged to build 11 homes on Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh to raise awareness and address the need for affordable housing in Wake County. Led by Habitat for Humanity at NC State, and in collaboration with NC State University students, faculty, staff, corporate partners, Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Block is a campaign to raise $715,000 to build homes in partnership with families in need. Five houses have been completed and we are well on our way to finish the project. Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha were both involved with Habitat. Working with this project is one way to give back to those in need.

• Friday February 10, 2017 and Saturday February 11, 2017 are designated as Our Three Winners build days. Please sign up online via the Habitat Volunteer Hub.

Inter-Faith Canned Food Drive

Benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina – in 2016 marking the one year anniversary of the tragic loss of Deah, Yusor, and Razan a group of community members led by NC State alum Shadi Sadi started the Feed Their Legacy canned food drive. Last year the food drive was held to honor their service to the community. Donations translated into over 26,000 meals to North Carolinians in need. Many organizations on and off campus are participating, including NC State University.

• Drop off canned food items and non-perishables between now and Friday February 24, 2017 to one of the three following locations on campus.
  • Center for Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service (CSLEPS) in 4111 Talley Student Union.
  • NC State Harris Hall lobby, sponsored by the Cashier’s Office, Registration and Records, and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
  • Lobby of Brooks Hall – sponsored by the College of Design
• You can also contribute directly to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in memory of Deah, Yusor, and Razan.
• Stop by the Islamic Association of Raleigh on Saturday February 25, 2017 between 10am – 2pm during the final drop off and loading of items for delivery to the food bank.

Opportunities to Give Back

Our Three Winners Fund

In February of 2015 NC State set up the Our Three Winners fund which is now an endowed scholarship for students in the Poole College of Management, the College of Sciences, and the College of Design to honor and remember Deah, Yusor, and Razan. In August of 2015 the first scholarship recipients were announced. To date we have raised over $300,000 and have awarded a total of 9 scholarships.

• Consider giving to the Our Three Winners fund – contributions can be made securely online at go.ncsu.edu/ourthreewinners. Checks made out to Our Three Winners fund may be sent to: Our Three Winners, Campus Box 7474, Raleigh, NC 27695-7474. For all other inquiries about honoring the lives and legacies of Deah, Yusor and Razan, contact donor relations or call 919.513.8192.

Purchase a “Wolfpack World” item in the NC State Bookstore

NC State Bookstores partnered with the Office of International Affairs to introduce a new line of products to celebrate NC State’s diversity and global reach. The first Wolfpack World items–special edition t-shirts and mugs–benefited the ‘Our Three Winners’ fund.

NC State is the statewide leader in international student enrollment where they make up 10 percent of the student body. More than 1,000 NC State students study abroad annually. The t-shirt features a world map fashioned from the word WOLFPACK depicted in different languages that was designed by Fernanda Duarte, a doctoral candidate and former intern with the Office of International Services. The mug also features a design based on the word WOLFPACK depicted in various languages.

• All proceeds from the sale of the WOLFPACK WORLD products are contributed to the “Our Three Winners” Fund. You can stop by the NC State Bookstore in the Talley Student Union or shop online via their website.

The Light House Project

The Light House Project is a 501c3 non-profit that was started by Farris Barakat following the death of Deah, Yusor, and Razan. The Light House Project’s mission is to help reclaim the Muslim-American narrative.

The Light House was owned by Deah Barakat then inherited by his parents upon his murder; it was a rental property that allowed him a step towards financial independence. The grand opening of the physical space occurred on Saturday February 4, 2017. The house will be used to further his legacy, and in furtherance of Deah’s wishes to one day support the youth with their projects. Across the street are the City of Raleigh’s Tarboro Community Center, and a teen center making the area a campus rich with potential and resources.

• The Light House Project has many opportunities to get involved and to give back to the community.