LUDLOW — On Feb. 6, two high magnitude earthquakes struck in Turkey and Syria leaving millions of people without food, water or a place to stay. After hearing the news, a college student took immediate action to help.

Busra Yanbul is a graduate student in mental health counseling at American International College (AIC) in Springfield. She started a collection drive to help those who are left with very few resources available.

“I am Turkish. My parents were born and raised there before they moved here. When I saw the destruction, I realized I had to do something. Whatever I could do on my end to send back to those in need I had to be done,” Yanbul said.
Yanbul was born in Brooklyn, New York, after her parents immigrated from Turkey 30 years ago.

Yanbul’s family operates Oscar’s Pizza at 973 East St. in Ludlow and was one of the donation sites for the drive.

Yanbul realized that with the freezing winter weather, there was a need for blankets, tents and sleeping bags, gloves and winter clothing of all sizes for all ages. Baby items were also requested including formula and diapers. Other supplies collected include feminine hygiene products, flashlights, batteries, over-the-counter pain medicine and power banks. She also sent out her Venmo account information for cash donations.

Items and donations were collected through Feb. 12 and according to Yanbul, it was a great success.

Yanbul said, “It was incredible. The amount of phone calls and texts I got daily from people saying they wanted to help meant a lot. You would think only Turkish people would care about what is going on but you have all religions, ethnicities and races reaching out and helping people they may not even know and never even come across.”

The donation drive raised over $5,000 and the money was used for supplies.

“There were also 200 large and extra large boxes of donations,” Yanbul added.

The donations were transported to the Turkish Consulate in Boston to be flown on Turkish Airlines to the devastated region.

This donation drive is just a start for Yanbul, who said that she plans to continue to do whatever else is needed.

“We are waiting to hear back from the consulate and see what else we can do to help those in need. There was several million people affected so this was not a one time thing. We will continue doing whatever we can for the next few weeks, months or years to come,” Yanbul said.

She added, “Whether it be another donation drive, getting the word out or maybe hoping on a couple flights to Turkey to see what we can do on that side.”

Yanbul’s services have received a lot of support from the community but also from her college for her efforts.

“American International College is proud of Busra Yanbul for her commitment to helping our Turkish and Syrian neighbors,” said AIC President Hubert Benitez. “Her actions are emblematic of the college’s core values, and AIC stands by Busra and the people of Turkey and Syria in this great time of need. Our hearts go out to those with loved ones whose lives have been altered by this unimaginable tragedy.”