Damla Gunes, Yagmur Gunes and Kemal Karagozoglu are creating a positive impact for the global community from right here in Hamden following last month's devastating earthquakes.

With support from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), comprised of representatives from each of Quinnipiac's varsity athletic programs, Damla and Yagmur Gunes, of women's volleyball, and Kemal Karagozoglu, of men's tennis, have created a fundraiser to support the people of Turkey and Syria. 

"Because the earthquakes hit our home country, we wanted to help as much as we can," Damla Gunes said.

Casey Stark, the adviser of SAAC, encouraged the students to enlist the support of other student-athletes to bring the initiative to life.

"They have used multiple forms of fundraising for this initiative, including events, tabling and social media outreach," said Stark.

With the help of Quinnipiac President Judy Olian, SAAC chose to fundraiser for the International Rescue Committee. 

"Bobcat Nation should get involved in this matter because natural disasters like this can happen to anyone and cause tremendous damage," said Damla Gunes. "The death toll is now estimated to be more than 50,000 people, which makes it one of the worst earthquakes of the decade."  

Quinnipiac Athletics kicked off its second annual Equity Week on Sunday.

"Equity Week was designed with the mission of creating impactful moments of education, inclusion and service for one Bobcat Nation," said Stark. "Damla, Yagmur, and Kemal's vision, unity and leadership in this effort are a shining example of this goal and is exactly what we aspire to achieve as part of Bobcat Nation."

Because the need is ongoing; the fundraiser has no deadline. Members of the university community who wish to donate may make a contribution online.