Vigil held in Paterson to honor victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
PATERSON, N.J. -- People in Paterson, a city with one of the country's largest Turkish populations, came together Saturday to honor the victims killed in the earthquakes in Turkey and stand in solidarity with the families affected.
Saturday's vigil was to honor all the lives lost in the recent earthquake and to let everyone know there's still a lot of help that's needed.
READ MORE: Hope for rescue fades as recovery operations in Turkey, Syria continue
"It is unimaginable. The scale of the earthquake, it never happen in the last 300 years, so the devastation is a lot," Turkish Consul General Reyhan Özgür said.
Özgür, along with leaders from the Turkish community, stand in solidarity, ready to help families affected by Monday's earthquake.
"Syria and Turkey are one, and in Paterson, we are all one with Turkey and Syria," Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said.
"One of my best friends, he's got family missing there, still under the rubble," Paterson resident Murat Baycora said.
The city has been holding fundraisers every night since the earthquake.
"We have raised a minimum of $15,000 in every fundraiser. The best part about it, the money got there the next morning," Paterson resident Jimmy Nury said.
READ MORE: Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023: How to help the victims
One man repurposed his shipping business to send supplies to Turkey and Syria. Hundreds of people showed up to donate emergency supplies at the Prospect Park Brown Avenue firehouse, a town where its own mayor also lost a friend.
"We're seeing diapers, you're seeing hygiene, you're seeing clothing for babies, for adults, for men, for children," said Dr. Tyeshia Reels, with the Prospect Park School District.
Even more is needed.
"Try to donate Pampers, try to donate baby formula, try to donate Tylenol, Advil," said Dr. Jabeen Ahmed, of Sheefa Pharmacy.
Starting Monday through Feb. 24, people can drop off donations at Paterson City Hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Donations can also be dropped off next Sunday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Eastside High School.
READ MORE: Queens family among over 20,000 killed in earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
Deaths have exceeded 28,000, a toll that includes Queens residents Burak Firik, Kimberly Marilyn Firik and their two young sons, who were killed when the building they were staying in collapsed. They were visiting Turkey to spend time with Burak's family. Burak's mother also died in the earthquake.
The couple was well-known in their Sunnyside community, where a funeral was held Saturday.
"They were just such a capable family. Their kids were so adorable. My son still asks about them. They were an amazing family. It's a big loss for us, for everybody," family friend Moazzem Hussain said.
Burak, a Columbia University graduate, was a board member for the Council on American-Islamic Relations and always willing to help any and everyone around him.
"They were perfect people, perfect individuals. They impacted certainly everyone that they know," one person said.
While prayers continue, so do fundraisers and emergency supply drives.
Sayegh says with help coming from all over the world, they will get through this disaster together.
