Italian-Canadians are doing their part to help family and friends caught in the earthquake-stricken region of L'Aquila, Italy.
A fundraising campaign has begun to help the victims, said Antonio Sciascia, an official with the National Congress of Italian-Canadians.
"After the immediate relief is settled, there will be a great demand to help rebuild hundreds and hundreds of damaged homes," he said.
Three Toronto-area banks have also set up accounts for donations. The Italian Canadian Credit and Savings Unit, which has two locations in Toronto and one in Woodbridge, is accepting cash donations.
Foreign Affairs Canada urges people to donate cash, not goods, to established humanitarian organizations.
One of those organizations, the Red Cross of Canada, has not yet issued a formal appeal for donations.
"The Italian Red Cross continues to be active in the emergency response phase of this disaster and has not requested international assistance at this time. The Canadian Red Cross remains on standby and is monitoring the situation," the organization said on its website.
"While Canadian Red Cross appreciates that Canadians have a strong desire to contribute to the recovery effort, we are asking for their patience while the needs in the affected region are assessed."
Red Cross spokesperson Christina Lopes told ctvtoronto.ca on Tuesday that she expects an appeal will be launched within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The quake has killed more than 200 people in central Italy's Abruzzo region and has left as many as 15,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless.
Toronto's large Italian community has been paying special attention to the news overseas.
Several called Toronto's Italian radio station CHIN to recount stories they heard from relatives who survived the quake.
"Some said the dogs were barking for hours before," said Umberto Manca, CHIN's station programmer. "Then they felt the beds move and then they said the walls fell apart. Very dramatic stories."
Mayor David Miller said Tuesday that Toronto is home to more than half-a-million residents of Italian heritage.
"I know many in our city have family and friends directly affected by his terrible tragedy," he said in a news release. "As is always the case when terrible events affect other parts of the world - no matter how close or how far, Torontonians have always been there to lend a hand. As more details are known of the scope of this disaster, I know Torontonians will be there once again."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper also issued an expression of sympathy.
With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman
