Turkey's Earthquake Victims Getting Help From Ridgewood Merchant

Hundreds are dead, thousands injured and even more left homeless after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake ripped through the Van Province of southeast Turkey on Sunday.

One and Ridgewood business owner is organizing a clothing drive to help those she says are desperate for help.

"The earthquake happened in the area where people are really, really poor and it's always cold there," said Lisa Mayisoglu, who owns and has lived in Ridgewood for years. "They're really in bad shape. It's winter and they need clothes and supplies to live their lives."

Mayisoglu is asking that the considerate residents of Ridgewood help ease the struggles in the wake of disaster.

Warm jackets, gloves, boots, scarves, sweaters, men's pants, hats, coats and even tents are in demand, Mayisoglu said. "No high heels, no fancy clothes. Anything that people [domestically] don't want to use would be a great help. It's really needed."

Clothes will be sent to her restaurant then stored at her warehouse in Queens, to be shipped to Turkey within a few weeks.

"My heart goes out to them," Mayisoglu said of the victims.

Mayisoglu is asking items be placed in a box and brought to Lisa's Turkish Kitchen, located at 54 Chestnut Street, between 1:00pm-8:00pm.