Darien Man Raises Cash For Moroccan Victims

DARIEN, IL – A Darien resident is seeking to raise $100,000 through an online fundraising page to provide help to earthquake victims in Morocco.

Said Ouardi, who is from Morocco but lives in Darien with his wife, plans to go to the country in a couple of weeks to provide support.

As of Tuesday morning, he had collected $1,850 on his GoFundMe page.

"I have coordinated with a large group of friends and we will be traveling into the Atlas Mountains to help the poorest and hardest hit earthquake victims," Ouardi said on the page. "I will be purchasing food, water, tents, medicine, hygiene products and whatever else is needed."

Ese Esan, a GoFundMe spokeswoman, told Patch that Ouardi's fundraiser is verified.

The death toll from Friday's earthquake in Morocco is reported as nearing 3,000.