Wagga raised $2000 in just a few hours to help Nabiha Koriaty support the victims of the Beirut explosion, which include members of her own family.
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Many of them were directly impacted by the blast, including a grandnephew who was lacerated by shards of glass sent flying from a shattered window.
Another nephew was left jobless after the explosion destroyed his workplace, and one of her cousins was hospitalised by a sudden attack of anxiety.
Ms Koriaty said life was already hard enough in Lebanon before the explosion, and that her heart went out to all the people who were suffering.
"I wish I could go to help, but I can't go. People really need help. They're sick with anxiety. Many people lost their children," Ms Koriaty said.
"In Lebanon they're living a hard life. No fridge, no light, no electricity. People need help."
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Ms Koriaty's family have been working overtime to help the people of Beirut, including a niece who is volunteering at an orphanage and a nephew from Melbourne who sent over ten tonnes of rice.
On Sunday Ms Koriaty threw a Lebanese feast at Rabbit Books to raise money for the people of Beirut, and together Wagga managed to raise $2000 in one afternoon.
"I thank god I came to Wagga," Ms Koriaty said.
"I'm very happy if I can help people. It gives me a purpose in life."
The event was run by Vickie Burkinshaw, who said the Wagga community would gladly drop everything if it meant they could help Nabiha.
Ms Burkinshaw said the event sold out almost immediately, with dozens of people keen to show their solidarity with the Lebanese community.
"I could have sold twice as many tickets but with COVID we're limited," Ms Burkinshaw said.
"There is a lot of support, we've got a big Lebanese family in Wagga, so it's nice to see people are supporting them."