By Nathan Duke
Prominent leaders from Astoria’s Italian American community pledged last week to raise money for victims of the massive earthquake that recently devastated central Italy’s mountainous Abruzzo region as well as planning an upcoming benefit concert in the neighborhood.
The Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, at 29−21 21st Ave. in Astoria, hosted a meeting April 8 to discuss fund−raising efforts for earthquake relief. Community leaders said they have already raised several thousand dollars for victims of the deadly quake and Angie Markham, the federation’s executive director, announced that the group was planning a borough concert for later this month or early May.
“It’s time to help our families over there,” City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D−Astoria) said. “One of the groups that started this neighborhood were the Italians from Abruzzo, which is why this tragedy strikes us so hard here.”
The 6.3 magnitude quake struck central Italy’s Abruzzo region on the morning of April 6, heavily damaging a number of cities, such as historic L’Aquila, where numerous buildings crumbled and some 8,000 small businesses were forced to close.
The official death toll from the 6.3 magnitude quake has climbed to 294 people, including 20 children. An estimated 55,000 Abruzzese have been left homeless, while 15,000 buildings have been damaged.
Astoria has long been the home of the largest Abruzzese community in the United States, after an estimated 2,000 families moved to the community between the beginning of the 20th century and the end of World War II.
“The Italians are what make this country as great as it is,” former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. said. “We are always the first to respond. These poor people lost their lives and their homes. We want to help them restore their lives.”
Markham said the federation would plan a concert for either the last Friday of April or the first Friday of May. The show, which will probably be held in Astoria, Flushing or Bayside, is expected to include a performance by Italian singer Giada Valenti and other artists.
Maria T. Fosco, head of public relations for Astoria’s Orsogna Mutual Aid Society, said the group has already raised $15,000. The group’s president, Tony Di Rico, said a representative of the organization would take donations directly to L’Aquila.
Jerry Iannece, former chairman of Bayside’s Community Board 11 and a Council hopeful for the northeast Queens seat, said borough Italian Americans should open their hearts and wallets to the earthquake’s victims.
“We are the richest nation in the world,” he said. “We should do anything and everything we can to help, whether it’s moral or monetary support or prayer.”
Federation President Joseph DiPietro said the group would accept donations for its Italian Earthquake Relief Fund 2009 through donations at its 21st Avenue office.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e−mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 156
