Metro Atlanta couple seeks out help for family members in Turkey

ATLANTA — A Metro Atlanta couple is looking to help family members living in Turkey. Thousands of people are now homeless after a massive earthquake hit Turkey and Syria.

Solomon Ozdemir said his family knows first hand about the tragedy. They were home when it started.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

“I spoke with my brother, he was crying still. The first earthquake happened at 4:15 a.m., while they were all asleep. He got up and got his daughter, his 5-year-old daughter. His wife was hiding in their bedroom,” said Ozdemir.

When his family woke up, they saw destruction.

“Then other buildings next to them collapsed on top of their building. So the ceiling fell on them. They were so lucky to be alive,” said Ozdemir.

But Solomon said not everyone was as lucky. His brother is now helping in a massive rescue effort to find survivors.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Georgia prison warden fired amid corruption charges after GBI investigation
• GA prison gang tried to have guard killed -- but sent hitman to wrong house, GBI says
• Georgia corrections officer accused of smuggling nearly $30K into prison for bribes

Although days have passed, the recovery process will be a long one.

Solomon’s wife Katelyn Ozdemir started a GoFundMe account, to raise money for those families, who now have to start over.

“Because once the cameras are gone and they’re not recording and not reporting on this story, this city will still be destroyed. It doesn’t sound like a lot in the face of this tragedy and death but $1 is equal to 18 Turkish Lira, so if someone donates $10, that’s 180 Liras,” Katelyn said.

“This money will go so long in Turkey. It will help so many people in need,” said Solomon Ozdemir.

If you want to help or donate, click here.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Organization who uses sports to impact lives, now expanding to helping girls

©2022 Cox Media Group