A Richmond non-profit has just announced two initiatives to help earthquake victims in Turkey: a disaster relief material collection and a fundraising dinner.
Turkey and Syria were struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake earlier in the week on Feb. 6. As of now, the death toll has exceeded 28,000.
The Canadian International Education Assistance Foundation (CIEAF), which has helped out with relief work for large-scale natural disasters over the years, made the announcement on Saturday, Feb. 11.
"At least 5.3 million people were homeless, and 870,000 people lacked food. In the case of bad weather and lack of supplies, assistance is urgently needed," reads the media release.
Disaster relief material collection
The disaster relief material collection will take place first from Feb. 13 to 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of Richmond Curling Centre on 5540 Hollybridge Way. Materials collected will be consolidated in the Vancouver donation depot before being sent off to Turkey.
Community members are requested to only donate the following items, new or unused:
- Jacket
- Raincoat
- Sweater
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Hat
- Socks
- Blanket
- Sleeping bag
- Thermal cup
- Baby diapers
Fundraising dinner
CIEAF will then hold a vegetarian fundraising dinner at Continental Seafood Restaurant (11700 Cambie Rd) on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. It hopes to raise $200,000 for follow-up disaster relief work.
The cost of food is donated by the restaurant and all proceeds will be donated. Tickets are $100 per person and $1,000 per table, with full tax receipts provided.
To find out more about the initiatives, call chairman Tom Mah (778-838-8933), director Chak Au (778-893-8882), or secretary Angela Chow (604-439-1239).
