As the earthquake devastation in Turkey continues to unfold, an appeal has been launched for school supplies for children who have lost everything.
The Rotary Club of Gunnedah West recently purchased $500 worth of school supplies for students affected by the earthquake in Turkey after St Mary’s College teacher Dani Barisa reached out to the club looking for assistance.
Rotarian Karen Neader said the club wanted to help out immediately and approached John Sturgess at Gunnedah Newsagency to place an order.
“John could not have been more helpful, “ Rotarian Karen Neader said.
“The team put together the school supplies for us straight away and when we picked them up John and the Gunnedah Newsagency had kindly donated additional supplies to the value of $150.
“Rotary is passionate about supporting the local community as well as the global community when we experience these types of disasters.”
With some of her closest friends Turkish, and knowing they have lost friends and family members in the disaster, Dani Barisa said it was important to show her support for them somehow.
“It has been wonderful to see so many Gunnedah locals getting on board,” Dani said.
“A lot of Turkish charities and organisations are focusing on adults who have been impacted by the earthquake, and I think it’s vital we don’t forget about the children.”
The school supplies will be shipped overseas shortly by a Sydney Turkish restaurant called That Turkish Place whose staff wanted to do something to help out after the earthquake.
“A representative from the business will travel with the supplies ensuring they will be distributed to many of the school children who are now homeless or have lost all possessions.,” Dani said.
“If anyone would like to help with donations of new school supplies could you please drop them off at LJ Hooker, Soul Hair, Gunnedah Pilates or St Mary’s College.”
