Saskatoon Italians organize fundraiser for earthquake relief

Saskatoon’s Italian community is planning a fundraiser to help people digging out after a major earthquake in central Italy.
 
At  least 250 people have been confirmed dead, including one Canadian, after a 6.2 magnitude quake rocked parts of the country on Wednesday.
 
Frances Fortugno, a board member with the Saskatoon Italian Cultural Centre, said her family in southern Italy were spared from the quake. Even still, she said it’s been hard seeing pictures from the disaster zone.
 
“All those that lost their lives, it’s almost apocalyptic. It’s beyond words,” she said.
 
Fortugno said she can’t help but remember an earthquake she experienced herself while living in Italy several years ago.
 
“The house shook as if a truck had crashed into it. I even thought that maybe a train hit it,” she said.
 
The Saskatoon Italian Cultural Centre is holding a fundraiser on Sept. 10 at 2 p.m.  Participants will play Tombola, an Italian version of Bingo, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.