Seventh Grader To Raise Money For Turning Point

“If you think abuse is not your business, then make it your business.”

Those words by a Turning Point representative stuck with Orefield youth Sam Iorio, as he read a newspaper account of a local woman abused by her boyfriend. 

Now Iorio, a seventh grader at in South Whitehall, is setting out to raise money for Turning Point as part of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s “Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah” program. Turning Point provides services to battered women in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Iorio is hosting a charity basketball tournament at the Jewish Community Center of Allentown from 2 to 5 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 28. Admission will be $5 per person or $20 per family, with all proceeds benefitting Turning Point.

“Basketball has been a big part of my life,” Iorio said in a prepared statement.  “I wanted to share what I love and use that to help the families that Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley helps. It gives people a second chance.”

Iorio will sell T-shirts that say, “I will lead by example.” Basketball great Darryl Dawkins, who will be on hand for the tournament, will sign the shirts.

“I’m so proud of Sam for organizing this fundraiser and caring about his community,” said Iorio’s mom, Donna Iorio, in a statement. “But I’m especially proud of his big heart to help anyone in need.” 

Iorio will become a bar mitzvah on Sept. 3 at  in Salisbury Township. He also will make his first adult gift of tzedakah to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.