In 2013 she started Messie’s Closet, her eBay store, and has gone on to sell over 10,000 items!

Hawa went to school at the University of South Carolina and continued to grow her business throughout college. Earlier this year she applied for eBay’s Shine Awards for Small Business program.


Choose from one of FIVE Tavern Double Burgers! No purchase is necessary. Just show your valid school ID and enjoy (dine-in only).

I spoke with the lone MoCo location in Germantown (20001 Century Blvd.) as well as the Frederick location (5582 Spectrum Dr.), and they are both participating!


At the time he was attending St. Martin’s in Gaithersburg. His uncle was helping his mother pay for tuition at the private school prior to her passing. He officially took Helton in and raised him for the next few years until his incarceration and subsequent deportation. He finished that school year living at his best friend’s house, but didn’t know where he’d go next.

Many families offered to take Helton in, but everything would keep falling through at the last minute. It wasn’t until just before his freshman year at Good Counsel that he was taken in by the Abudayeh family. Vivian Abudayeh was battling cancer at the same time Helton’s mother was, but was able to survive. She informed her husband of the situation and Helton has been with the family ever since.


View More Stories