In the wake of a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, volunteers in Santa Clarita are calling for donations to help the thousands of people injured or displaced by the disaster.

As a part of her work with College of the Canyons International Student Services, Weeda Bakhshee traveled to Turkey last year in an effort to bring in more international students to our Santa Clarita Valley.

When news of the earthquake came, Bakhshee immediately facilitated a connection between COC and contacts in Turkey, discovering needs, organizing volunteers and trying to figure out where to get donations.

Bahkshee, who came to the U.S. as an Afghan refugee 20 years ago, became familiar with the outreach efforts of charitable organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley during her work as a translator in 2022, when 134 Afghan refugees were temporarily placed in SCV after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“I think the reason I kind of called on the community at this time is that I had a great experience when we were hosting Afghan refugees here,” Bahkshee said. “Everybody was bringing stuff from their kitchen to help these people. Even though they are all elsewhere now, I still hear from them that it was their time in Santa Clarita that made them feel, ‘I am in America now.’”

More than 22,000 people in Turkey and Syria have died after Monday morning’s initial 7.8 earthquake, as well as the hundreds of aftershocks that have since shaken the region.

Four days after the strongest quake, thousands of people have been left homeless or lacking in electricity, water or fuel during an especially harsh winter in the region.

“They are facing a very, very cold winter, and people are basically left with nothing,” Bahkshee said.

Organizers are asking for new or gently used winter gear and clothing for all ages and sizes, including blankets, sleeping bags, jackets and shoes, as well as first aid kits.

Donations are open until Wednesday,  Feb. 22.

All donations are set to be shipped by Turkish Airlines, which has offered to transport the items in an effort to reduce costs.

“My belief is that even though we cannot reach there, our community still can help,” Bakhshee said. “Yes, we are in California, where we may experience an earthquake, but at least we know that we did something good (in Turkey).

Donations can be dropped off at two locations:

• College of the Canyons Student Center – Sustainability Center, Room 138, Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 3 pm
• Islamic Center – 28877 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91390, Wednesday – Sunday, 2 pm – 5 pm everyday

Anyone with questions can contact:

• Abdo Jabar: (661) 666-3683
• Weeda (661) 220-3120
• Kevin: (661) 232-8664

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