Indian Americans raise over $300K for Turkey, Syria quake victims
Washington, March 4
Indian Americans from across the US have raised more than USD 300,000 for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. A fundraiser organised by several eminent Indian Americans led by Dr Hemant Patel, the former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the community raised more than USD 230,000.
The fund raised over the weekend in New Jersey was attended by Turkish Ambassador to the US Murat Mercan, along with Turkish Consul General in New York Reyhan Özgür, wherein they profusely thanked the Indian American community for the generous support for the earthquake-hit people of their country.
“They (the ambassador and the consul general) spoke very highly of what is being done and what the Indian community is doing for the Turkish people,” said Patel, a recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour.
Sewa International Houston’s AmeriCorps team recently organised a donation drive in support of the victims of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. People from different communities all over Houston came together to donate hundreds of items, including food, clothes, winter coats, hygiene items, outdoor supplies, tents, hand warmers, shoes and baby necessities.
More than 200 boxes were taken to the warehouse, filling over three pickup trucks, a trailer, an SUV and a big U-Haul truck.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey organised a special prayer assembly this week for those affected by the humanitarian crisis.
