Beverly Hills community to hold candlelight vigil for Turkey earthquake victims
In a show of support for the residents of Syria and Turkey that have been devastated by the massive earthquake that struck the region on Monday, Beverly Hills community members are set to hold a candlelight vigil Saturday evening.
The Association of Turkish Americans - Southern California hosted the vigil at the Salon Theatre on 8500 Wilshire Boulevard.
"Right now I can't even find the words to express my sadness, said Nilay Senel-Nylund, with ATASC. "I don't want to sit down and think and really grieve. I don't have the time, I'm pushing an entire organization, volunteers."
Dozens of supporters gathered to offer their support for the victims of the tragedy, even many without any Turkish or Syrian background.
"To whatever God you pray to, may we all pray during this time for God to have mercy on all of us," said one woman speaking at the vigil.
As the fallout continues, the massive earthquake is said to have caused more than 12,000 buildings to collapse and killed at least 28,000 people in Turkey and Syria, a number which health officials estimate could continue to grow with multiple recovery efforts underway across the region.
Locals have gotten to work by collecting supplies, sending donations and doing whatever they can to help the impacted countries, including Sinan Kuzum, Counsel General for the Republic of Turkey in Los Angeles.
"I got two trucks from Arizona, Seattle, San Francisco, Oregon ... Colorado, they're sending stuff to me," Kuzum said. "All the materials I'm going to post and ship it to Turkey."
Los Angeles County Fire Department deployed a task force of more than 80 emergency responders, six canine teams and three structural engineers to assist with rescue operations.
"It's amazing. I am truly, truly grateful to any first responders," an emotional Senel-Nylund said. "It's amazing what they did to Turkey, and the entire world actually right now. Thank you very much."
Monetary donations can be made via the Turkish Embassy in Los Angeles, or emergency goods can be dropped off at Barsan Global Logistics in Long Beach.
According to their website, "ATASC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting better understanding and relations between the peoples of Turkey and the United States of America through educational, cultural, charitable and social activities."
