Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and stopped by the event. By the end of the stream, we raised $1,350! I'm so grateful to every single one of you.

If you didn't get a chance and wanted to, you're still able to contribute. Thank you so much for your support. Let's help the Syrian people!

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When one of the few things your mom says to you all day is that there was a 7.4-level earthquake in Latakia, you think, "Thank god she's not crying because that means they're not dead." But that doesn't mean my aunt and cousins weren't affected. That night they shared sleeping space with the neighbor in a car, bundled up as best they could for the winter cold.

Later that week we still hadn't heard what happened to my grandparents' house in Aleppo. No one currently resides there, but we know the neighborhood is full of rubble.

The videos of destruction are horrific, so many are dead. And that doesn't even cover the injured, the orphaned, the lack of food and access to clean water. The psychological consequences on the population--especially with the continued earthquakes--are devastating.

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My uncle's (Revd Nadim Nassar) charity, the Awareness Foundation, is on the ground now and has been on the ground in Syria for years. They have multiple programs, including Ambassadors for Peace where they facilitate education and open conversation with the youth, allowing them the opportunity to become leaders and progress their communities. The foundation knows the people and is currently involved in helping with relief efforts in Syria.

I'll be hosting a 24-hour stream on Twitch to raise funds for them. $5,000 is ambitious, but if every person in our community, if everyone in the Hakawati Tribe gives a quarter, we'll reach it.

Beyond chatting and playing games, we're going to have fun giveaways and activities for every milestone we reach. Knowledgeable Marcus Vance, also known as "the sword guy," has generously donated a free consultation for one winner who needs a second look at the fight scene in their story. Creative Arabella Federico has kindly donated a signed hardcover copy of her YA fantasy novel THE MARK OF CHAOS AND CREATION. I will also be eating... weird things, and dying a chunk of my hair. Which I've never done before.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support. See you Friday and Saturday!

Alexandra

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STREAM INFO:

Where?

twitch.tv/hakawatibarbar

When?

From 8:00 pm ET, Friday, 17 February to 8:00 pm ET, Saturday, 18 February.

The full stream schedule and milestone rewards are in the photos.