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
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.