Ottawa's Turkish community rallies to help earthquake victims
Ottawa's Turkish community is working tirelessly to collect and send supplies to the earthquake zones after Monday's devastating quake.
Given the winter weather in Turkiye, community members are collecting clothing and blankets to help those in need.
The OZ Dome in Carp is serving as a drop-off point for the donations and Turkish Airlines will transport the supplies to Istanbul. The owners of the OZ Dome have made their space available for anyone to drop off supplies.
"It's incredible. It shows how much sympathy and support our community is demonstrating," says Ozay Mehmet, a Professor Emeritus of international affairs, who moved from Turkiye to Canada in 1964.
The Turkish Canadian Cultural Association is leading the effort to collect the supplies.
"The Turkish Canadian Cultural Association has started the move to collect clothing and blankets anything that will be needed for the winter," says Zahide Sezerman, owner of the OZ Dome.
"Some volunteers from the community will come here and we'll sort them out, package them and send them to Montreal. Turkish Airlines will take them to Istanbul."
The Humanitarian Coalition is also stepping in to help, urging Canadians to make cash contributions to trusted organizations.
"I really encourage Canadians to donate to the organizations that they trust and care about to give cash contributions. It enables people to buy and acquire what they need from a local market and it helps get the local economy back up and running. It helps enable people to get what they most need when they need it," says Richard Morgan, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition.
All day Tuesday, vehicles filled with winter clothing, including handmade items, were dropped off at the OZ Dome. "Coats and boots, mitts, scarves, hats," says Jane Burt, a donor.
"We feel blessed to be able to help and we keep praying for them to be strong and faithful," says Masi Valizadeh, another donor.
"We'll have another sorting session on Thursday. And we'll send another package for Friday," says Sezerman.
"It's a demonstration of community support. And hopefully in the next day or two, it will get to the right destination," adds Mehmet.
Monday's devastating earthquake affected Turkiye and Syria, killing more than 6,200 people. Rescuers are searching through the rubble in freezing temperatures to locate survivors.
The swift response from Ottawa's Turkish community is a testament to their commitment to helping those in need during a difficult time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.