TORONTO -
Italians in Canada sprang into action Monday trying to find ways to help loved-ones and perfect strangers alike after an earthquake in L'Aquila killed more than 150 people and injured some 1,500.
There were estimates that between 10,000 to 15,000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless in the mountainous central Italian community.
Pal Di Iulio, the head of Villa Charities, one of the Canada's largest Italian-Canadian foundations, spent Monday taking phone calls from people wanting to know what they can do to help.
"There's tremendous emotion and we're trying translate that emotion and passion into some sort of plan," Di Iulio said from Toronto.
Patrons at the cafes and bars that line Toronto's Little Italy were glued to televisions for updates. Antonio Lentini, a chef at an Italian restaurant, said many expatriates maintain close ties with Italy and they were anxious to find out what's happening and what aid they can provide.
