NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund for Victims of Abruzzo Earthquake

Photos and video of Abruzzo earthquake from La RepubblicaBy now you’ve surely heard of the devastating earthquake in the city of L’Aquila,  Abruzzo, Italy.

As I type, the death toll is nearing 200 and some estimates put the number of newly homeless at 50,000. Others are still missing, people are sleeping in their cars (if they have them), and food and fresh water is scarce.

I thank all of you who have contacted me to make sure we’re OK; we are just fine as we’re quite far from L’Aquila, but I do ask you to please consider helping those who have been affected by the Abruzzo earthquake by donating to the:

NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund

For US taxpayers, donations are tax deductible, and rest assured the National Italian American Foundation is an extremely reputable organization.

On the Italian end, you can also donate to the Italian Red Cross:

Croce Rossa Italiana

Thank you for your kindness.

31 Beans of Wisdom to “NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund for Victims of Abruzzo Earthquake”
  1. 04.07.2009

    Thanks for posting this important info!!!

    My Melange’s last blog post..Travel Tip Tuesday – 5 Free BlackBerry Apps for Travelers

    My pleasure, Robin 🙂

  2. 04.07.2009

    good article , thanks from Italy

    Grazie Marco, and thanks for coming by 🙂

  3. 04.07.2009

    THanks SO much for posting this, Michelle. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to help.

    jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..“My Heart is with You”

    My pleasure Jen 🙂

  4. 04.07.2009

    Thanks for posting this.

    City Girl’s last blog post..Birthday Macarons

    Thanks for reading and spreading the word on Twitter!

  5. 04.07.2009

    Hi Michelle
    I have posted a link of your blog on my blogsite.
    Thanks for this, I don’t know anyone from Abruzzo region but my heart and my prayers go out to them.

    lucy’s last blog post..

    Thank you Lucy…every posting helps, I think 🙂

  6. Paola
    04.07.2009

    Thanks for posting this information. I worked for NIAF from 1999 – 2002 and I can vouch for them – they will make sure the money goes to those who need it most.

    My family is in Teramo which also received some structural damage to its older buildings. Thankfully my family and our house is safe – only minor things to clean up, knick knacks and wall hangings etc.

    My heart goes out to everyone who has lost loved ones and for the displaced…it is cold in L’Aquila now. God bless them all!

    Thank goodness your family wasn’t too affected, Paola. Obviously the loss of life and homes is the worst of this, but oh all those historic places….

  7. carol
    04.07.2009

    I can vouch for the reputability of NIAF. Living in DC, where NIAF has it’s headquarters- we work with their scholarship program that annually raises millions for Italian-American kids. Their initiative in supporting efforts for terremoto relief is consistent with their mission to promote Italy and support the Italian-American connection in both countries. Thanks Michelle.

    Thanks for sharing this, Carol; I felt it was necessary to put in the extra info about NIAF because unfortunately during times like these, some people try to take advantage with official sounding but fake orgs 🙁

  8. awedree
    04.07.2009

    I’m glad that you are doing alright Michelle. Thanks for the info. I’m praying for the people of Abruzzo. God speed.

    Thank you for your concern, Awedree! Much appreciated!

  9. Thanks for posting this information, Michelle! My prayers go out to everyone in Abruzzo.

    JennDZ_The LeftoverQueen’s last blog post..Guess Where I’ve Been?

    Thanks for reposting Jenn 🙂

  10. 04.08.2009

    Hi Michelle – I’d been thinking of you. I knew you weren’t near Abruzzo – but the link to help is great! 🙂

    Dory’s last blog post..‘Scuse me….

    Thanks Dory 🙂

  11. 04.08.2009

    Thanks so much for the information – I am linking back to here tonight from my blog so folks can donate! Very important we not forget how much is needed right now as well as the long term – the economy has hit home everywhere but we can alll afford one less caffe latte! And as an espresso addict I can assure you it is a sacrifice but one well worth it! Our family thankfully was just far enough away to not be affected physically but naturally all Italians feel this pain for their fellow paisans!

    Valentinoswife’s last blog post..Heartbreak

    So true, Valentino’s wife! We really don’t have to give up a lot to help…every bit counts!

  12. 04.08.2009

    Thanks for posting this. I found NIAF through twitter last night. So easy to donate through them. I also did a similar post hoping to reach a few more people.

    girasoli’s last blog post..how to help the earthquake victims in Abruzzo

    Great! The more info out there, the better 🙂

  13. Gil
    04.08.2009

    Thanks for posting this. I was going to send you a link for the Italian American Museum in NYC as they are also collecting money for the victims and I actually got busy with some work and my wife and forgot.

    Thanks Gil; if anyone has other links for donations to share in the comments, please feel free!

  14. Luigi
    04.08.2009

    this is not going to be of much use to anybody who doesn’t live in italy, but among the blogs I follow there’s one (in italian) by a woman from abruzzo. Besides writing a coupe of very intense post about the earthquake she also listed what’s needed and whom to contact.
    For money donations she only mentions the red cross but she also lists other possible ways to help.

    As I said that’s meant for people within Italy, but I understand many readers of your blog are actually living here.

    http://fed-tobearockandnottoroll.blogspot.com/2009/04/informazioni-utili.html

    The list dates to immediately after the event. So, although i think she’ll keep her readers informed, i guess things might have evolved.

    Thanks Luigi; will put this up on FB/Twitter now 🙂

  15. Thanks for posting this important information.

    Glad to hear you and P are okay.

    nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Italian Driving School Diaries

    Sorry to hear you felt some aftershocks though 🙁

  16. 04.08.2009

    Glad to hear you are fine. We donated a tiny amount, but just heard that Madonna donated a whopping half a million! Well, she’s just gone right up in my estimation. I wonder if the Prince of Wales will follow suit? He’s worth a bob or two.

    casalba’s last blog post..Basic Instinct

    I’m pretty impressed with Madonna as well…good point about the Prince (and let’s not forget the Savoy family who actually wanted money back from Italy at one point)….

  17. 04.08.2009

    Thanks for sharing this Michelle. This was the topic of conversation at my parents house yesterday. Ciao!

    Laurie V’s last blog post..Panna Cotta with a Cherry Custard Sauce

    Thanks for reading Laurie!

  18. 04.08.2009

    Thanks for giving us this information. Glad to hear you are okay.

    Mrs. L’s last blog post..Small Plates – April 8, 2009

    Always nice to see you, Mrs. L 🙂

  19. 04.09.2009

    Thank you for your post.

    This last week has been a very difficult one for many people and a tragic one for others. I love Abruzzo, even if I have not yet realised my dream of moving there full time, and it is tragic to see what has happened there this past week.

    My heart goes out to everyone, but most especially to the elderly folk of the region, who have lost the work of a lifetime in a single night.

    There seems to be little in the way of organised centres for donating money/supplies from the UK – the Italian church and the cultural centre here have nothing on their websites. Your list of places we can donate through is therefore extremely helpful.

    I will post on this on my blog tomorrow hopefully, and will link back here if that is okay?

    Robert’s last blog post..The Omnivores Hundred

    Absolutely OK Robert! Thank you for spreading the word, as I know lots of people are wondering how they can help.

  20. 04.10.2009

    i knew you were ok b/c of your geographic location. so glad and thankful. praying for the country, families and support groups. there is a local pizzeria hosting a eat/drink night benefiting the Italian Red Cross. will share pics with you.

    hugz.

    Bren’s last blog post..I Will Marry in Monaco!

    Great, thanks Bren 🙂

  21. Taffiny
    04.11.2009

    So glad to know you are well. When I heard about the earthquake I immediately thought of you, and was concerned (not knowing the proximity). I had trouble finding info on the TV whenever I would check the news channels they would be discussing Obama’s travels. I thought the number of deaths was much lower, my husband told me 25 (which is plenty tragic), I wish the number wasn’t higher. This is so sad. At the moment all I have to give is prayers.

    Prayers are *always* plenty, Taffiny 🙂

  22. Selena
    04.12.2009

    yes this was so horrible what happened. but the thing that made me happy seeing today how so many people went to help out with making food for Easter. 🙂 that really put a smile on my face today. i wish i lived closer to be able to help out with all the cooking and what not though. (i live in Rimini) but i’m glade there are very nice people here to help those in need. my prayers are with them.

    other then that, i wanted to say i like your blog, and Buona Pasqua 🙂

    Thanks so much! Glad you found me 🙂

    Ciao.

  23. 04.13.2009

    I didn’t hear anything about this until this morning (out of touch… way, way out of touch).
    I’m so saddened to learn about it. I will be happy to help out, however I can.

    I’m very glad that you and P & the girls are fine.

    Enormous hugs and kisses to you,

    Love, Scarlett & Viaggiatore

    Wanderlust Scarlett’s last blog post..Flying Off Into The Sunset

    You’re back! Whee! Must write an email….

  24. 04.13.2009

    I am glad you are ok! Thanks so much for posting this.

    zesty

    zestycook’s last blog post..Super Star Toast II

    Thanks ZestyC 🙂

  25. 04.14.2009

    Thanks Michele for the info about National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). We’re going to donate something from sales from our June All Things Italian Street Festival here in Iowa to NIAF for the earthquake victims. I didn’t know about the NIAF before this.

    Lenora’s last blog post..Voyage to Vernazza

    Glad you found the info useful, Lenora…the plan for the June sale sounds great 🙂

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Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

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Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
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Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake