Waterloo city council donates to earthquake relief

Waterloo city council is donating $10,000 to the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

In addition, city staff are working with local volunteers leading and coordinating local donation efforts by providing storage space for the donations as well as transport support for delivery to the airport.

The goods are being collected by the Turkish Culture and Folklore Society of Canada, the Grand River Friendship Society and the Turkish Society of Waterloo Region. 

The folklore society is asking for unused donations of: 

• winter clothing (jackets, coats, boots, hats, gloves, etc.)
• tents 
• mats and mattresses for tents 
• blankets and sleeping bags 
• reusable water bottles 
• flashlights without batteries 
• personal hygiene products 
• canned food and baby formula 

“The City of Waterloo has a long history of working together as a community and providing assistance to organizations in times of crisis and need,” said Mayor Dorothy McCabe. “The recovery will be long and difficult, and it’s important that we do what we can help to ease some of their suffering.”

The Federal government has committed to matching up to $10 million in donations to the Canadian Red Cross for relief efforts in Turkey and Syria. The city is also supporting local efforts that are collecting needed donations. The city will provide a vehicle and driver to transport these goods to the airport in Toronto.

Anyone wishing to contribute needed goods may drop them off at: 

• Forest Heights Community Centre, 1700 Queen’s Boulevard, Kitchener (Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
• Centreville-Chicopee Community Centre, 141 Morgan Ave., Kitchener (Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
• Kitchener Fire Department Headquarters, 270 Strasburg Rd, Kitchener (Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• Kitchener Market, 300 King Street East (Saturdays, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

The sites will be available for donation drop-offs for approximately two weeks. 

Residents can check for regular updates on the Turkish Culture and Folklore Society of Canada Facebook page.

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Media contact:

Tony Iavarone
Director, Corporate Communications
519-747-8513
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
tony.iavarone@waterloo.ca