GTA’s Italian Community Rallies To Help Quake Victims
Posted April 7, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
They also serve who stand and wait.
But for those in the GTA standing and waiting for word from earthquake ravaged Italy, it’s an agonizing time.
Some have still not been able to reach relatives in the devastated areas, reduced to rubble after the temblor struck early Monday morning. The death toll now exceeds 235, with more bodies likely buried underneath collapsed buildings.
For many, waiting is no longer an option. They’ve mobilized forces to try and raise funds here, knowing the next step after rescue is recovery and relief.
Most sense they are helpless but feel the need to do something. “Against this powerful force of nature, there is nothing we can do,” laments Nivo Angelone. The GTA resident is originally from Abruzzo, the affected area, and his brother still lives there with his family. His twin nieces, Laura and Roberta, are both students there but fortunately were out of the city when the quake hit.
The rest of his family survived the onslaught. “They were awakened in the middle of the night by frames, paintings falling down and glasses, bottles, it was a mess.”
But at least one of his friends wasn’t so lucky. She had just returned from a trip the night before the disaster struck. “She went back on Sunday and during the night, she died,” Angelone recalls with regret.
Both the Ontario and federal government are offering aid and the GTA’s strong Italian community is doing its part to help, too.
“We estimate that in the next days and the next weeks, other, you know, local communities are going to organize fundraising events in order to provide funds for the people suffering for this tragedy,” advises Giorgio Mitolo of OMNI Television.
How can you help?
The Abruzzese Federation and Canadian Knights of Malta have announced a partnership in supplying quake aid. A press conference has been set to announce relief effort details Wednesday at 10:30am but they already have a trust fund up and running.
O.S.J. Charities Trust Fund for L’ Aquila Abruzzo – Earthquake Account Number: 09012 69-21310
CIBC 7765 Yonge Street, Thornhill , Ontario , L3T 2C4
Other Relief Efforts
I.C. Savings & Credit Union
St. Clair or Woodbridge Branch
Account # 111-28
