A Tennessee restaurateur is providing crucial earthquake relief
“This is the goal I’ve been wanting to do: Building bridges built with love. Thank you for sending me here. Still a lot of work to do and we’re going to do it together. Thank you so much.” — YASSIN TEROU
KNOXVILLE — During his relief mission to Turkey after devastating earthquakes there, the owner of Yassin’s Falafel House encountered a father desperately seeking milk and diapers for his 9-month-old baby. Sheltered in tents, along with other earthquake survivors, the man’s family also needed blankets, food and medical support.
The next day, Yassin Terou and his team of volunteers were able to deliver a box of the special milk for the baby and other supplies survivors had told them they needed.
“Because of you and your donation, we are able to help this gentleman,” Terou told supporters of his fundraiser during a Facebook Live video.
Terou and volunteers including Andrew Randazzo, a medical team instructor and trained paramedic based in Knoxville, have been in Turkey since Feb. 10. They’ve shared updates on social media of their relief efforts in a few of the most affected areas.
“(A woman came) to me and told me … ‘Thanks for the help. You promised me, and you came to help me,’” Terou recalled in a video message he sent to Knox News.
Terou — who has lived in Knoxville since 2011 after leaving Syria as a refugee — immediately launched an online fundraiser following the Feb. 6 quakes in Turkey and Syria to aid in emergency relief. As of Feb. 15, the campaign had raised more than $190,000 toward its current goal of $200,000, shattering its original goal of $20,000 many times over.
The funds have gone toward food, medical support, sleeping bags, and other necessary supplies.
“We appreciate (the support),” Terou said. “This is the goal I’ve been wanting to do: Building bridges built with love. Thank you for sending me here. Still a lot of work to do and we’re going to do it together. Thank you so much.”
The mission has reunited the restaurateur with his brothers, one of whom is a survivor of the earthquake. The relief volunteers have even gotten to show off some Volunteer pride by wearing Tennessee orange and Vols gear as they offer emotional support to kids affected by the earthquake.
The death toll of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks has risen past 41,000, and much help is still needed in the wake of the disaster. You can donate to Terou’s campaign at launchgood. com/soup.