NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund
06-21-2009
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has established a special NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund to help the victims and their families who perished from the recent earthquake in the town of L’Aquila and other small towns in central Italy in the region of Abruzzo.
According to NIAF President and Justinian Society member Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq., “NIAF extends its sincerest condolences to the victims and their families suffering from the recent earthquake that struck residents as they slept. This tragic disaster has claimed the lives of innocent people. Words cannot convey the Foundation’s sense of loss for the victims. Our hearts and prayers are with them and the rescue workers, who are frantically trying to save those who remained trapped in the debris.” Del Raso’s ancestors trace their roots to the region of Abruzzo.
Many members of the NIAF Board of Directors including Gabriel A. Battista, John F. Calvelli, Arthur J. Furia, Esq. and Anthony A. Marnell II also trace their heritage to the region of Abruzzo. The ancestors of the Honorable Pat Tiberi of Ohio, who serves as co-chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation of the 111th United States Congress, emigrated from the Abruzzo region to the United States.
In fact, the U.S Department of State has partnered with NIAF in a public-private partnership to bring direct aid to L’Aquila University to restore its role as an important academic, social and economic engine for the Abruzzo region through several programs. The programs include:
Adopt-a-Scholar
Building Earthquake-Resistant Modular Multipurpose Centers
Exchanges to the United States
Exchange to Italy
Preserving Archives
Donation of Information Resources
Summer Activities for Youth
To read more about these programs, go to NIAF's fact sheet.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.3 reported by the U.S. Geological Survey, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of individuals with more than 1,500 people injured and many people still missing. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people are believed to have lost their homes and Italian authorities are working to find them shelter before nightfall.
Online: Individuals, corporations and foundations who wish to donate to the NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund can make their donations using the form found at NIAF's website.
By Check and Mail: Donations can be made by check payable to the NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund.
Kindly mail to:
NIAF/ Abruzzo Relief Fund
The National Italian American Foundation
1860 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
All donations are tax deductible.
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