Pacentro (Italy): The mayor of an Italian town shaken by Monday's earthquake says Madonna has promised $5,00,000 to help people in need.
The mayor of Pacentro, Fernando Caparso, the mountainside village where two of the pop star's grandparents were born, said on Wednesday that that he had spoken to the pop star's manager in Los Angeles by phone.
"Damages have not been so heavy, but the aftershocks can be clearly felt. People are scared and at night they sleep in cars, tents, and I took some of the elderly people elsewhere, this is a medieval town, it's difficult, in an emergency, to take elderly people away from the scene," Caparso said.
He added that he was deeply moved by Madonna's effort to assist the town as well as surrounding areas.
"I learnt my request was accepted, I'm really honoured, I found out from the newspapers, I have even been on State TV. Ten minutes ago I spoke to Madonna's manager in Los Angeles, and it's true, 500,000 dollars," he stated.
Pacentro, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from hard-hit L'Aquila, felt Monday's earthquake but didn't suffer major damage.
Caparso said most of the donation would go to areas harder hit.
The pop singer's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg said Madonna had pledged a "substantial amount," but didn't disclose the exact figure.
In the tiny village, located below a snow covered mountain and overlooking a valley of olive groves, residents were mostly appreciative of the gesture, particularly coming at a time when the area was already experiencing economic problems.
But Rosa Napoli, 90, was less than approving, saying Madonna was "not a decent woman" and was "not the Madonna that is worshipped in church. "She's a dirty woman," said Napoli.
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