Winnipeg's Italian community holds pasta dinner for earthquake relief

 
Members of Winnipeg's Italian community enjoyed a pasta dinner in support of earthquake relief. (CBC News)  


Pasta and wine were flowing at the Caboto Centre Thursday night to raise money for those affected by last week's earthquake in Italy.
"It's within the soul and the spirt of Italians to help regardless of where and when these things happen," said Mario Audino,who is the acting executive director of Winnipeg's Caboto Centre.
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on August 24, killing at least 290 people and injuring hundreds more. The quake's epicentre was located near Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto and the hardest hit area was Amatrice.

A car in Amatrice, Italy is crushed by rubble from collapsed buildings following the deadly 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck on Aug. 24, 2016. (Picture taken Aug. 25) (Richard Devey/CBC) (Richard Devey/CBC)

Audino said even though few in Winnipeg's community have ties to those areas, people are being generous. He said 250 tickets were sold ahead of time for the fundraiser, with dozens more buying their plate of pasta at the door.
At $25 a plate, Audino said it won't be long before they reach their goal of donating $20,000 to The Red Cross. Guests were also treated to music by local band Bellows and Fellows.
Singer Joy Stadnichuk, who is Ukrainian, said she wanted to help out because the Italian community has been so welcoming to her.
"I travelled to Italy for the first time last fall; I fell in love with the people, the country, the land, said Stadnichuk. "When I came back to Winnipeg I joined the Italian choir."
The fundraiser continues until the end of the month.
onations can be made at the Caboto Centre and Holy Rosary Church on River Ave. Audino asks that cheques be made out to 2016 Italian Earthquake Relief.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-italian-community-fundraising-for-earthquake-relief-1.3745532