For Tunisia Solomon ’19, a President’s List student at Farmingdale State College, performing is paying back.
That’s performing as in singing and playing the steel pan, both in her family’s band, Steel Impressions, and as a solo artist known as Tee Tee Solo. Tunisia is on a mission, one in which she performs free concerts to raise food for the hungry on Long Island.
A devout woman, she credits the Bible verses 1 Peter 4:10, 11 as the impetus to spread love and feed those less fortunate.
“This scripture is motivation to take my musical talents and use them for good,” Tunisia says. “I thank God for the grace upon my life and I believe that as a Christian, as a human, if I see others that need a helping hand, it is my social responsibility to extend grace to them just as God does for me.”
She began her quest to help feed families in need in 2016, when she partnered with Long Island Cares, a food pantry founded by the late singer/songwriter Harry Chapin. She joined its music2Meals program, and with her own band played concerts at which she raised 200 pounds of food. The response to her concerts, she says, was overwhelming.
“Not only did we make a contribution to our Long Island community, but they were joy-filled nights of dancing and singing. I used my steel pan and voice to unite people to help feed Long Island, and I want to strive to do even more.”
That Tunisia did this past summer, nearly tripling the amount of food raised at her concerts. Now she wants to carry that success to a new level, bringing it to the College at which she excels as a student, tutor, residence hall volunteer and member of the women’s track and field team. She also sang the National Anthem at the inauguration of Farmingdale president, Dr. John S. Nader.
“I want to carry this change-evoking momentum into 2018 and inspire my college community to contribute in an impactful way,” she says. “Dr. Nader’s empowering and energizing words, ‘Powered by Optimism,’ encourage me to endeavor to spread this sense of social responsibility to the Farmingdale community.”
30 Days of Giving 2017:
- Day 1: Shopping with a Smile
- Day 2: Erie Community College Cook-Off for Kidneys
- Day 3: Stony Brook Medicine Helps in Puerto Rico
- Day 4: A Day of Service at Onondaga CC
- Day 5: New Paltz Students Make a Difference
- Day 6: Buffalo State College Dares to Care
- Day 7: Niagara County CC Students Lend A Hand for Thanksgiving
- Day 8: Old Westbury Helps Haiti
- Day 9: A Day of Service at SUNY Potsdam
- Day 10: Helping Animals at Hudson Valley Community College
- Day 11: FIT Students Help the Homeless
- Day 12: Morrisville Athletes Go Local For Service
- Day 13: SUNY Poly Gives Back Throughout the Region
- Day 14: SUNY Oswego Honors Those Battling Ovarian Cancer
- Day 15: Brockport Students Volunteer at Thanksgiving
- Day 16: SUNY ESF Sends Acorns to Action
- Day 17: Doors Open at the Columbia-Greene Community College Giving Closet
- Day 18: Monroe Community College Helps Walk for Water
- Day 19: SUNY Cortland Supports Crop Hunger Walk
- Day 20: Making Music at Farmingdale State to Help the Hungry
- Day 21: Increasing Food Security at Dutchess Community College
- Day 22: Addressing Food Insecurity On and Around SUNY Geneseo
- Day 23: Westchester Community College Plays the UnHunger Games
- Day 24: Binghamton University Builds University Assisted Community Schools
- Day 25: Mohawk Valley Community College Gives Back To Their Community
- Day 26: SUNY Oneonta Students Help Area Children Learn
- Day 27: Rockland Community College Comes Together to Aid Puerto Rico
- Day 28: Empire State College Donates to Caribbean Relief
- Day 29: Schenectady County Community College Students Provide Support to Foster Families
- Day 30: Raising Guiding Eyes at SUNY Delhi
