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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.