It has been a month since the devastating earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy left hundreds dead and tens of thousands homeless, and the relief efforts are underway – and so is the fundraising.
On Sunday, May 3, Italian singer Giada Valenti headlined the Abruzzo Earthquake Benefit Concert at the Little Theater at St. John’s University.
Before the show, Master of Ceremonies Valerie Smaldone from Lite FM introduced the Consul General of Italy, Francesco Maria Talo.
“Within a few days [of the earthquake] there were established schools, banks, post-offices, [even] offices in tents,” said Talo. “Engineers are already on location to make assessments to have the rebuilding process start very soon.”
With about 400 people in attendance, 80 percent of the ticket sales (at $20 per person) will go directly to the victims of the earthquake. Totals are still being tabulated.
St. John’s donated the theatre space for the concert.
“It’s great to see here in the U.S. how Americans of Italian heritage come together to help the victims of the earthquake in Italy,” said Valenti. “I [am] very honored to have had so many people attend my Abruzzo Earthquake Benefit Concert. Attendees have given donations small and large, but [more importantly], they showed solidarity with the victims of the earthquake.”
The Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation, also collecting donations and participating in the relief efforts, helped with the concert.
“It is really an example of how all of the groups are uniting behind a common cause,” said Patricia Adams, First Vice President of the Foundation.
They are working with Talo, said Adams, and waiting to see what the victims’ needs are and how best the foundation can contribute to the relief efforts.
So far, she said, they have collected a few thousand dollars, with contributions still coming in.
“It’s a very remarkable thing,” said Adams, “how people are proving that they want to help those far less fortunate,” even with the economic downturn. “One thing that hasn’t been hindered is generosity. We’re very encouraged by the response we’ve gotten – the community of Howard Beach has really shown up big time.”
