Turkish and Syrian communities in Jacksonville hold a festival in support of earthquake victims

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – More than three weeks after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Syria and Turkey, countless people remain devastated. They need help and resources.

Turkish and Syrian communities gathered in Jacksonville on Saturday for a special festival where all proceeds went to help victims and survivors of the earthquake.

Despite the rain, people came out to the Istanbul Cultural Center to support the earthquake victims – and to get something tasty to eat.

Despite the rain, people came out to the Istanbul Cultural Center to support the earthquake victims – and to get something tasty to eat. (WJXT)

Wherever you looked, food of all kinds was on offer from naan to shish kabobs, every homemade dish brought with a side of love and support, all for the people of Turkey and Syria.

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Meltem Altintas said she will never forget the anxious feeling of the first photos after the earthquake, knowing that some of her loved ones were there.

From naan to shish kebobs, each homemade dish came with a side of love and support, all for the people of Turkey and Syria. (WJXT)

“I just couldn’t handle it,” Altintas said. “You want to know! Like what’s going on? What can I do? That’s kind of the thing, keeps you awake too to see what’s going on out there.”

Altintas decided to get involved. I helped organize Saturday’s event and all proceeds from the festival will go to the victims. The toys were also donated for sale.

Omar Dor used to sell baklava there.

Omar Dour was selling baklava at the festival on Saturday. (WJXT)

“It’s winter. They need food, they need shelter. Any kind of help would be really helpful for them,” Dor said.

With it also came a message of healing — and hope.

“I want them to feel that we love them, we hug them from here and I can’t imagine how painful it is for them to be there. Because we are hurting here,” Altintas said. “I want to tell them we love them. We love our Turkish people and the Syrian people too.”

You can also donate to help earthquake victims. Embracerelief.org is an option. You can also learn more about how to donate by visiting the Istanbul Center website: https://istanbulcenterjax.org/.

Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX – All Rights Reserved.

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