Italian Canadian Organizations Establish Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 30, 2016) - A group of Italian Canadian organizations, businesses and community leaders today announced the Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund, an initiative to support the people and communities affected by the massive earthquake in central Italy last week.

The Relief Fund is a registered charity and is reaching out to all Canadians to contribute to a legacy that will help devastated communities in Umbria, Lazio and Marche recover following the immediate relief efforts.

"The pictures and stories of lives lost, families destroyed and communities laid in ruin have deeply affected all of us in the Italian Canadian community, and have stirred us to action," says Eligio Gaudio, President of the Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund. "We will reach far and wide within our immediate community and beyond it to raise funds for a substantial contribution to help people in the affected communities get back on their feet."

The focus of the initiative is to provide a lasting contribution that will have a positive and profound impact on the hardest hit communities of Amatrice, Accumoli, Arquata del Tronto and Pescara del Tronto, their economies and residents.

The Relief Fund is not intended for short-term assistance as Italian and local authorities are working effectively to meet immediate needs such as providing food, water and shelter. The specific area of intervention will be determined after immediate relief efforts conclude so that the area's longer-term needs can be accurately assessed.

The devastation brought by the earthquake is massive and will require the mobilization of a coordinated, large-scale response. To meet the needs of the affected communities, the Relief Fund's organizers are asking the federal and provincial governments to match the funds provided by private donors.

Similar relief efforts by Italian Canadian community members were made following the devastating earthquakes in Friuli (1976), Campania and Basilicata (1980), Sicily (1990), Molise (2002) and Abruzzo (2009).

How to Donate

Funds can be donated through any branch of IC Savings (Italian Canadian Savings and Credit Union) in Toronto or online via the Relief Fund's website at www.centralitalyearthquakerelieffund.com. Arrangements are being made for donations through major Canadian financial institutions.

Fund organizers are also encouraging individuals and organizations to organize their own fundraising events in support of the initiative.

All donations to the Fund are tax deductible.

About the Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund

The Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund is a registered charity established to provide a legacy in support of the people and communities affected by the massive earthquake in central Italy on Aug. 24, 2016. The initiative has been organized by Italian Canadian organizations, businesses and community leaders: the Villa Charities family of organizations; the Canadian Italian Business & Professional Association; Centro Scuola e Cultura Italiana; Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario; National Congress of Italian-Canadians; Italian Canadian Savings and Credit Union; Order Sons of Italy of Canada; other members and leaders from the Italian community and friends of Central Italy. For more information, please visit www.centralitalyearthquakerelieffund.com.