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Aug. 25, 1999
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University and its Turkish Student Association are encouraging everyone to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey by making donations to the American Red Cross.
As of Aug. 25, the death toll from the earthquake had passed 18,000 and is expected to be even higher, and 33,000 other casualties had been reported. Some 200,000 people have been left homeless. None of the Turkish student group's 60 members were killed in the quake, although one student lost five relatives.
Monetary, tax-deductible donations to the American Red Cross can be made by check or credit card. Donation and wire transfers also may be made through the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Send checks to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Make checks payable to "American Red Cross" and write in the memo section, "Turkish Earthquake Relief."
To make donations by credit card, call the American Red Cross at its toll-free number 800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669). After you hear the introductory recording, press "1" to make a financial contribution, then press "1" for International Response Fund, and then designate your donation for "Turkish Earthquake Relief." You will receive a receipt in two weeks.
If you wish to direct your contribution through the Turkish Embassy, send it to the embassy at 2525 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008. Make checks payable to "Turkish Embassy" and write in the memo section, "Earthquake Victims Relief Fund."
For wire transfers, submit your contribution to the Turkish Embassy through Riggs Bank NA, Embassy Banking Division, Washington, DC 20036. The account name is Turkish Embassy Earthquake Victims Relief Fund, ABA #054000030, account #17300827.
More information is available at the IU Turkish Student Association's Web site at http://php.indiana.edu/~tsa/ (George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu)