Fundraise to Help Rebuild Lives
Okay so you have made your personal donation to victims of the L’Aquila earthquake what next? Redbuilding L’Aquila & the surrounding Abruzzo hill-top villages is a long-term project and we will need to continue to help raise funds & build awareness to assist in the rebuilding of so many people’s lives.
Alternatives to On-the-Ground Volunteering
At the moment Italy is saying no to offers of ground help from international volunteers, but there are many other additional ways that one can continue to help, namely by keeping the profile of the region in the news. The Gran Sasso Mountains are still experiencing both strong quakes and aftershocks of over 4 on the Richter Scale north east of L’Aquila & people continue to be evacuated from their homes at night into municipal areas for safety.
Many newspapers have already ‘finished’ covering L’Aquila, it’s not a finished story, there continues to be new devastation & fear, draw their attention to this by alerting people to the latest seismic activity published by the National Institute of Vulcanology & Seismology.
On Saturday 11th April another 3 bodies were pulled from the rubble this puts the figure at 293 now. After studying before & after photographs The Italian Space Agency has announced that in some areas there is land subsidence of 15cm. Understandably with such news peoples optimism of being able to move back into their standing houses is fading, each & every single house around the L’Aquila needs to be thoroughly checked, more so now that the Crimimal Investigation has begun into negligent building.
Ideas for Fundraising & Raising Awareness
If you have a fantastic idea how to fundraise for L’Aquila, please post your idea below. Everyone’s heads are spinning at the moment but albeit a music jamming event extraordinaire, a jumble sale in your village hall or sponsored walk tell the world what you are planning and when. L’Aquila has adopted the new slogan – “Not even if broken do we fall back” that you could incorporate into part of your fundraising message:
“Nec recisa recedit, Neachnce spezzata recede!”
Petition the Italian Government
It’s quick, free & easy – sign the ipetition to the Italian government & Development charities to ensure that L’Aquila’s cultural, historical & social rebuild uses legitimate companies who deliver works on-time and which meet all required building standards (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/laquila-renaissance/)
Need Help Organising
If you need assistance for your idea post a comment and request it, somebody with another skill base may just read your request and post an offer to help or advise to make your original idea even more successful. Who knows you may help seed someone else to grow something similar in another village, town, city or country to also raise funds for helping to re-build in all ways L’Aquila’s shattered population. We are publishing all events on the new English language group on Facebook called ‘L’Aquila Renaissance‘, please do join if you are a Facebook member.
Be Careful
Please do be careful who you donate your hard-earned monies to – we have an official list here.There has already been press reports of illegal websites and fraudsters out there trying to benefit from this tragedy, don’t get caught out by them. If you are approached by an organisation, by email or visit a website you haven’t heard of before check them out and request information about them. Your fundraised monies are too precious to get lost in the wrong hands…. We asked Joshua Lawrence, an American L’Aquila resident for 10 + years if there was anything he would ask those outside Italy to consider when deciding who to give their donations to, he said
“Make sure your donations go to charities that are investing in L’Aquila’s long-term future and prosperity. Double check that any charity ‘rebuilding’ the city has firm delivery deadlines in place & a commitment to restoring the city’s heritage and heart in addition to building new homes”.
Our Easy Online Fundraising Suggestions
If you don’t like knocking on doors, sell something online via Ebay. It’s Spring, so it’s the season to have a mini clear-out. Put what you no longer wear or find useful on Ebay and donate the profits to a charity of your choice. This is called Community Selling – read here for more information and you can donate your profits directly to the Red Cross… it’s easy 
. Ebay have also now set up the option if you buy something on Ebay the option to donate £1/$1/€1 directly to the L’Aquila Earthquake Fund so now is a great time to shop!
Sammy Dunham is a web marketing consultant, designing websites & writing copy to optimise web presence for her clients at 
Ah bluetit in Italian, cinciallegra:it's this wk's flick friday by Giovanni, don't forget feed them in Abruzzo whiteout 
14 Responses to “Fundraising for L’Aquila”
Sammy said on April 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
We've been contacted by The UK Rotary Club, they are launching a worldwide appeal to buy 'Shelter Boxes' – this includes a trackable 10-man tent, blankets and the basic living & cooking essentials that every individual needs, contact your local club to find out more…, you can read more about the Shelter Boxes here
Sammy said on April 13th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Tom Doherty is an award winning Irish photographer who will be holding a photography exhibition in aid of L'Aquila.
Where: Country Choice, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Features: The pictures from different villages in Abruzzo and one of L'Aquila.
Funds Raised will go to: Pro Loco in Carapelle Calvisio & taken there on his return to Abruzzo on 17 May 2009.
Images can be purchased, you can view online his style before Friday at via his website or DeviantArt Gallery.
Tom Doherty said on April 13th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Thank you Sammy, I have a target of 1600 euro (4 pictures @400 ea ) Already i have had a lot of interest. If pictures sell quickly enough I will include more picture from my Abruzzo files. My page on Deviantart is called Pictd and if people wish they can also contact me re. buying images displayed on that site or my own pictorial section featured on my own website. All printing and framing costs are being borne by me so all the money raised will be going to the relief fund. I am also toying with the idea of offering my services as a wedding photographer to someone getting married in the Abruzzo region and the full monies I receive from that I would also donate to the fund.
Thanks again,
Tom Doherty
Sammy said on April 17th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Saturday 18th April - there is a fundraising 'Italian Cena' (dinner) in French House (6433 North Frances Street) organized by the French & Italian Depts & the Piazza Italia Clubs @ Wisconsin Uni, USA.
Cost : $10.
The collection will go to the NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund. There is no better cause to go and eat buffet pasta for!
Sammy said on April 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
London – Picnic in the Park – all funds to the Red Cross
When: 9th May
Where: Battersea Park
What: Picnic & raffle all funds to the Red Cross L'Aquila Fund.
All prizes most welcome, already Goucho Restaurant, Carluccio's, Pinko have given so if you can contribute let us know.
Facebook Reference: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=78315046666
Organised by Italianalondra
Romano Fionda said on April 20th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Hi there Sam,
http://www.abruzzonelcuore.org/
This is Jarno Trulli's (Toyota F1 driver's) website for Abruzzo.
The Ferrari team sported the words 'Abruzzo Nel Cuore' on their cars this weekend in China and thought you could perhaps create a link to it also.
Romano.
Imagine if your Grandad said on April 23rd, 2009 at 12:25 am
[...] the tragic victims of this earthquake. For fundraising ideas and further ways to help read Life in Abruzzo’s Fundraising Ideas and read about events near [...]
Alfonso Pierantonio said on May 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 am
Hi Sam,
please consider to give some emphasis to the following
http://www.ideasforlaquila.org
it is an academic initiative which published a "call for ideas" about a new vision for a city to be starting from the city it was.
Thank you,
Alfonso Pierantonio
University of L'Aquila
Sheila de Rosa said on May 21st, 2009 at 11:28 am
I Chair an unofficial twinning between Tring, Herts., UK and Loreto Aprutino, Abruzzo and here in Tring we have staged a week-long fund-raising event. Local restaurants, delicatessen and hairdressers have been creative with their ideas. One chain of restaurants (Oakman Inns) have produced an Italian Menu where all profits go to the fund-raising pot. Another restaurant (Da Vinci) has a board with lottery numbers for sale, and the person who draws a number which matches the Lottery Bonus Ball wins a superb hamper of Italian Produce. The hairdressers has a raffle to win a free cut & blow-dry and free highlights.
At the end of the week, when we know what we have raised we will decide who to give the money to, and we take onboard the advice given on this site. We are in touch with L'Aquila hospital asking for re-assurance that re-building contracts are given to appropriate contractors.
Throughout this venture we have been supported by local press and the BBC Oxford news desk, who are keen to come to Abruzzo to see the story completed.
I would appreciate any advice on worthy recipients for monetary assistance.
Keep up the good work.
Sheila de Rosa
lifeinabruzzo said on March 17th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
The majority of people have bank accounts here, there may be some old ladies like anywhere with money squirreled under the floorboards but it's impossible not to have one. Yes you can write ask your bank to create a cheque in their name or write one yourself I am afraid I don't know enough about Reusch Internationale. Have you tried contacting the comune in Ripa Fagnano Alto for addresses?
Anthony Crisi said on March 23rd, 2011 at 8:23 am
Sammy, I have found a website for the comune in Repa Fagnan Alto as well as L'Aquila. Also, there is Facebook and Forums relative to these places. I will explore these. I will try to contact the mayor or other administrative officials to get further information. Thank you for all your assistance. I am waiting for April when you will provide updates on how the people of L'Aquila and Ripa Fagnano are doing at this time.
lifeinabruzzo said on March 23rd, 2011 at 1:00 pm
That's great, please keep me and everyone that reads the site with how you get on, maybe you can write an article about how to track family!
Anthony Crisi said on March 26th, 2011 at 8:22 am
I am considering creating a website for acess by relatives and friends interested in ancestors from Montepagano and Roseto degli Abruzzi as well as L'Aquila and Ripa Fagnano Alto; the former is my maternal ancestors and the latter is my paternal ancestors. If I did set up a website, I would want a password known to only relatives and friends who can correct, revise, add, and otherwise embellish it. I hope to have music, videos, and genealogical data. Any ideas and suggestions you may have will be appreciated.
I received your last reply to my last comment. How does one send you an attachment or a link for a website?
lifeinabruzzo said on March 26th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Hi Anthony
Have a look at wordpress.org, that should suffice to get you started. Maybe find out from your relatives their internet access and pc/mac & web literacy. Things are a bit slower here, due to the mountains etc there was what was called the digital divide and adsl is only now appearing in some villages, some villages have a slightly slower comune free network but best ask first, but great idea. If you want to send us anything try emailing hello@lifeinabruzzo.com
Leave a Reply