Cornell raising money for Turkey disaster relief

Cornell College students, alumni, faculty and staff are raising money to support disaster relief following an earthquake in Turkey.

Among the cities hardest hit was Van, Turkey, home to Nilay Ozok-Gundogan, a post-doctoral fellow in modern Middle Eastern history in her first year teaching at Cornell. Proceeds from all fundraising events are going to a Turkish non-governmental organization, the Van Women’s Association (Van Kadin Dernegi/VAKAD, historically known for their work on women’s rights) who are able to reach the poorest of poor.

The following events are scheduled:

• Eyes of the World annual Culture Show on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in Kimmel Theatre
• Turkish coffee, Baklava, and Arts Sale on the Orange Carpet, Thomas Commons, Thursday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Alternative Gift Market booth on Dec. 14 and 15 as part of “Wrap It Up on the OC” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Orange Carpet
• Mendhi/Henna on the Orange Carpet (date and time to be decided)

Contributions can also be made at any time between now and Dec. 15 at the cashier’s desk or Chaplain’s office in Old Sem (checks should be made out to Cornell College with “Turkey Disaster Response” in memo line).

The fundraising events, including door-to-door efforts, are being co-sponsored by Alpha Sigma Pi (the Arrows); Bill Aossey ’63; the Chaplain; the Office of Civic Engagement; Cornell’s new Muslim Student Association; Beth Engel ’57; Eyes of the World; the Office of Intercultural Life; Interfaith Understanding and Exploration, the chaplain’s spiritual life leadership team; Nilay Ozok-Gundogan and Azat Zana-Gundogan; Soul Friends, the chaplain’s Christian spiritual life leadership team; Sodexho; Sigma Kappa Psi (the Skys); and the Third Wave Resource Group (TWRG).