Members of the Grand Valley campus community will gather around Cook Carillon Tower in Allendale at 1 p.m. February 15 to pause for a moment of silence in memory of the lives lost in Syria and Turkey.
The campus carillons in Allendale and Grand Rapids, which normally play at the top of each hour, will be silenced for the vigil.
Monday’s earthquake and subsequent aftershocks near the Turkish-Syrian border caused widespread damage that has killed more than 20,000 people while leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.
“Our carillons usually bring joy as they chime. I asked that they be temporarily silenced as we pause in a moment of silent reflection or prayer over the tragic loss of life and the on-going crisis in Turkey and Syria,” President Philomena V. Mantella said. “I invite our campus community to gather together around the carillon in a show of unity with the people of Syria and Turkey and those who have responded to their calls for help. Those who can’t join us at the towers may pause where they are.”
After a moment of reflection or prayer, Wednesday’s event at the Cook Carillon will provide an opportunity to learn more about how to help relief efforts and provide a chance for members of the Syrian and Turkish communities at Grand Valley to share their stories.
Mantella has reached out to members of the Grand Valley community who are from Syria and Turkey to offer her support and prayers. She encouraged the campus community to do the same with friends and family who have been affected by the earthquake.
Grand Valley’s University Counseling Center is also available for students who need assistance.
Relief efforts in Syria and Turkey are under way. Here are several ways the community can contribute to those efforts:
Bridge to Turkiye Give Lively: GVSU’s Turkish faculty members are raising funds for this U.S.-based non-profit that is mobilizing immediate assistance to provide, food, water, warmth, shelter and children’s needs. This effort is led by GVSU faculty members Feryal Alayont, professor of mathematics; Erkmen Giray Aslim, assistant professor of Economics; Fatma Pir Cakmak, visiting professor of chemistry, Atilla Ozgur Cakmak, assistant professor of engineering; Filiz Dogru, professor of mathematics; Figen Mekik, professor of geology, and Mehmet Sozen, professor of mechanical engineering.
UNICEF: The United Nations Children's Fund is working to provide relief for children and their families in areas affected by the earthquake.
Doctors Without Borders: An international organization providing medical assistance in the areas affected by the earthquakes.
