The massive earthquake that struck Türkiye on February 6 spurred a Siena student athlete to organize aid for her homeland.
The 7.8 magnitude temblor has claimed nearly 50,000 lives in southern and central Türkiye, leaving behind widespread property destruction and a humanitarian crisis. Sevval Istanbulluoglu ’23 of the women’s basketball team wanted to help. She sprang into action, quickly putting together a campus clothing and fund drive. The collection from Siena will be taken this weekend to the Turkish embassy in New York City, which will arrange to transport the donations overseas via Turkish Airlines.
Sevval’s family and friends in Istanbul are safe (she last saw them in November when she was home for her grandfather’s funeral) but reaching them right after hearing news of the quake was difficult. Others she knows were not so fortunate.
“It was hard to get a hold of people at first,” she said. “So much is erased, cities are gone. Players, coaches and referees I knew back home are all affected, including my best friend from Hatay who I have known since we were 13.”
She’s been watching news coverage and social media posts of quake relief efforts, although it was very difficult at first because “it was just too sad.”
“It hits so deep, and that’s why I wanted to do something for the people of Türkiye instead of just feeling helpless.”
A faculty member and other student athletes are also playing a leadership role in providing support.
Winter clothing and coats are no longer being collected, but the following items are still needed: winter tents and tarps, sleeping bags, bedding, generators, propane stoves and heaters, portable chargers, flashlights, hygiene products, diapers (baby and adult), baby formula, over-the-counter medications, non-perishable food.
Please place your items in clear bags with an itemized list of the contents. Donations will be delivered to the Turkish Embassy. You can also make a monetary donation through the non-profit Ahbap, which will go toward supplying shelter, food and medical supplies to those in need.
Speaking of Siena women's basketball...
On February 11, trailing Niagara 81-80 with no timeouts and 4.4 seconds remaining, Angel Jones '26 inbounded the ball to Elisa Mevius '26. The freshman from Grunberg, Germany took a few dribbles toward mid-court, and as the final tenths of a second ticked away, she heaved a prayer from 55-feet away...
What happened next went down as the #2 national highlight of the day on ESPN's SportsCenter.
"It was like my adrenaline was so high. I kind of took the ball and followed my intention, I guess, and we got lucky. I mean it’s an amazing feeling, of course, to win with a buzzer-beater.”
Elisa Mevius '26