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Astoria leads boro’s Italian relief efforts

Astoria leads boro’s Italian relief efforts
By Nathan Duke

A bevy of western Queens Italian−American groups and leaders vowed to come to the aid of residents in central Italy’s Abruzzo region after it was rocked Monday by a massive earthquake that killed more than 200 people.

Astoria has long been home to the largest Abruzzese community in the United States after an estimated 2,000 families moved to the community between the beginning of the 20th century and the end of World War II.

Italian Americans from the neighborhood said they planned to raise money to send to the ravaged section of central Italy.

“A couple of friends called me from Rome and told me there was an earthquake,” said Rocco Sacramone, owner of Astoria’s popular Trattoria L’incontro restaurant. “My family is from the small town of Orsogna, which did not get hit. But they heard the rumble for a good 45 seconds and the chandelier was shaking.”

Sacramone said he called his uncle at 3 a.m. to make sure he was safe. His restaurant will hold a fund−raiser in the near future to donate to the earthquake’s victims.

The 6.3 magnitude quake struck central Italy’s mountainous Abruzzo region early Monday, killing at least 207 people and leaving thousands homeless. An additional 15 people were still missing and more than 1,000 others were injured. Some cities were heavily damaged, including historic L’Aquila, where numerous buildings crumbled and some 8,000 small businesses were forced to close.

The Astoria−based Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens was planning a news conference this week at which Italian−American community leaders and elected officials were to call for aid for the quake’s victims.

Angie Markham, executive director of the federation, said the group would host some concerts in upcoming weeks to generate revenue for the victims.

“We’ll work with the Italian consulate to see what else they require,” she said. “A number of groups in the Queens area will collaborate in this effort.”

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D−Astoria) said Astoria has been hit especially hard by the quake.

“The Italians played a large role in settling Astoria and it’s a very close−knit community,” he said. “We’ll do all we can to support our brethren in Italy during these trying times. I think the aftershocks are being felt here in Astoria because of its large Abruzzese population.”

Patricia Adams, vice president of the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation, said members of the group are planning to visit Italy to personally deliver the money it raises.

“We’ve already begun to raise funds privately,” Adams said Tuesday.

The group is looking for a catering hall where it can hold a benefit for the earthquake victims, she said.

The citywide Italian American Museum also announced earlier this week that it would accept donations for earthquake victims.

Joe Carella, vice president of the museum, said Astoria has a large population of Italians who moved to the community from the town of Orsogna. The neighborhood has two social clubs for former residents of that town, including the 70−year−old Orsogna Mutual Aid Society.

The Federation of Italian American Organizations is accepting money for its Italian Earthquake Relief Fund 2009 at its office at 29−21 21st Ave. in Astoria. The Italian American Museum is receiving donations at 155 Mulberry St. in Manhattan.

Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e−mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 156.