WEST HAVEN, Feb. 10, 2023 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is urging the support of a relief effort mobilized by a popular city diner for the survivors of this week’s catastrophic earthquake in Turkey.

Elm Diner at 111 Elm St. is collecting monetary donations — as well as donations of blankets and clothes, including hats, gloves and scarves — for those affected by the quake.

On Monday, the magnitude 7.8 quake, the world’s deadliest in more than a decade, hit close to home for many West Haven residents who come from Turkey and have family there.

Rossi is calling on her fellow Westies to give what they can in a time of crisis for a country near and dear to so many in West Haven, which has the largest Turkish American population in Connecticut.

“My heart breaks for the people of Turkey and Syria following the tragic earthquake earlier this week,” Rossi said. “This event particularly resonates throughout the West Haven community due to our large Turkish and Syrian population, one of the largest in the state.”

Elm Diner owner Ahmet Kangal, who hails from Turkey, said all donations will bolster aid for those displaced by the devastation.

“I encourage Westies to come together to support the survivors of this terrible natural disaster through monetary donations,” Rossi said. “Donations of clothing and blankets are also essential due to the extreme cold and threat of hypothermia.”

People can drop off donations at the diner from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.