In the beautiful setting of the swimming pool at the Hotel Antares – Olimpo in Letojanni, professionals, suppliers, friends, and collaborators gathered for the annual Gala of the Foundation, with many participants attending the charity dinner.
During the evening, the Foundation’s managers and collaborators shared the new projects and initiatives carried out in 2023. Dr. Michele Mattietto thanked everyone for attending the 18th gala in such large numbers and conveyed the greetings of Mrs. Helena, the president of the Foundation, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments.
Dr. Andrea Fenaroli presented the Foundation’s collaboration with the “Jardin de la Esperanza” Association in Mérida, Venezuela. The Foundation continues its work in support of children who typically do not find support in almost any institution, helping to reduce the social risk levels for girls living in extreme poverty in the city of Mérida.
Michela Fedrizzi discussed the DanCER project and the hip hop courses at middle and high schools in Bologna at the Salvo D’Acquisto and Bottego schools in the Navile district. This year, registrations doubled: last year, nearly a hundred young people from difficult neighborhoods in Bologna and Ravenna participated in this project aimed at promoting youth inclusion through hip hop. Another initiative that has seen great success over the years is the Caffè di Più, a project by the Foundation created to offer people with disabilities concrete work and training opportunities in the bar and restaurant sector. It is located in Salò (BS), in Piazza Zanelli, which has been renovated and converted into a modern café for this purpose.
The Foundation’s manager for Sicily, Antonio Riccobene, reported on the collaboration between the Foundation, the volunteer association Misericordia di Letojanni, and the San Vincenzo Hospital with the team of Prof. Sasha Agati, head of pediatric cardiac surgery at “Bambino Gesù”. As with last year, many families were welcomed in the 6 apartments the Foundation has in collaboration with Prof. Agati’s department. During the report, Antonio Riccobene shared the story of Hector and the Marcano family, “The Christmas Miracle.” Hector, a 3-month-old baby from Venezuela, arrived in Taormina through a chain of solidarity to undergo delicate heart surgery. The family, after numerous appeals, including those on local Venezuelan networks, highlighted the difficult moment and Hector’s severe condition. Thanks to Ignazio Pollini from the “El Jardin de la Esperanza” Association based in Mérida, Venezuela, this wonderful chain of solidarity began. The Italian Embassy in Venezuela issued visas for the family, and the Chincherini Foundation covered the insurance, plane tickets, accommodation at the Letojanni apartments, food, and all necessary expenses from the operation to the recovery period for little Hector and his mother, from December 21, 2023, to February 18, 2024, the day of their departure. The Foundation’s Sicily manager informed the attendees that other requests are coming from Venezuela, and they are ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
See you next year.
Antonio Riccobene
Germano Chincherini Foundation – Sicily
