Fall feast of Valle Peligna

$25,000 raised for charity by social-cultural group

Having fun all together while at the same time doing something for the less fortunate among us was the main goal of the 400 participants at the Fall Feast of Valle Peligna Socio-Cultural Association.
The event was held at Renaissance Parque Banquet Hall, and it included dinner, dance, prize draw and a lot of good company.
"I'm more than satisfied, I'm overjoyed," smiled President Aldo Di Cristofaro. "I'm especially happy of the success of this first fundraiser of ours: we've raised $25,000. After paying our costs, we'll split the net sum among Chum City Christmas Wish, Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation and Sick Kids Foundation."
Charity is important for this association that groups 17 Abruzzo towns and villages from the Valle Peligna area. "Since its inception two years ago, our association decided to organize events like this in support of associations, boards, and hospitals engaged in medical research," added Di Cristofaro. "This was our first social event, and we certainly hope that it will be the first of many."
Multimedia Nova Corporation (publishers of Corriere Canadese and Tandem) President and CEO Lori Abittan, Senator Consiglio Di Nino, Vaughan-King-Aurora Liberal MP Maurizio Bevilacqua and Vaughan mayor Michael Di Biase were guests of honour. "We appreciated spending an evening with these wonderful people, perceiving their social sensitivity and their affection towards our association," continued Di Cristofaro. "I wish to thank them all, particularly Lori Abittan for her kindness and nice words; in her speech she invited everybody to do something for our neighbour."
"One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody, Mother Teresa once said," began Lori Abittan's speech. "Imagine for a moment that your children, siblings, friends and loved ones had nothing to eat and the world walked by them, never acknowledging their existence... imagine a parent in a hospital room, helplessly watching over a child whose life could be saved only if there was a cure that can only be found through research. Pretending that poverty, disease, and similar problems do not exist requires no courage whatsoever. How about Christmas, with some children not understanding why they can't celebrate because there is no food, let alone money for a gift. How would you feel if this was your child?"
Lori Abittan continued by inviting people to show solidarity and contribute to The CHUMCity Christmas Wish, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, The Hospital for Sick Kids Foundation and a fourth charity worthy of support. "It's the Out of the Cold Program," she said. "Starting November 19, St. Matthew's Anglican and Our Lady of Peace Catholic churches will begin the eighth year as partners hosting the 20-week 'Out of the Cold' ministry held at St. Matthew's every Sunday night. Dinners for over 60 needy people were served each week last year; showers and overnight accommodations were provided to between 28 and 30 homeless men weekly... Starting next week, Corriere Canadese and Tandem will be running a series of ads detailing how people can help support this worthy cause."
If people think that the problems of hunger and poverty are too overwhelming, they are wrong," stated Abittan, in an appeal to action. "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one, Mother Teresa often said," she added. "Now imagine if each one of us tonight fed one person... we would feed 200, 300, maybe even 500 people. I can assure you that your support will go a long way."
The event achieved the right mix between fun and reflection, mindful of people in need and the importance of funding medical research.
The event also offered an opportunity for recognizing people whose achievements have honoured this beautiful Abruzzo valley enclosing towns and villages rich in history, culture, beauty and traditions. "We recognized Onorato Sistino Casasanta of London, publisher of Corriere Peligno Gente italica, a magazine promoting our ancestral land," remarked President Di Cristofaro. "The award was presented to Senator Di Nino on behalf of Casasanta, who couldn't attend the event."
Valle Peligna natives include Giuliano Zaccardelli (from Prezza), Tony Valeri (from Vittorito), Consiglio Di Nino (from Pratola Peligna) and Maurizio Bevilacqua (from Sulmona). "Doctor Laureano Leone, who's now honorary consul of Canada in Sulmona after a life in Canada, is a honorary member of our Association," continued Aldo Di Cristofaro. "These people are examples of a hard-working, committed and successful community, people we are justly proud of."
The next event that is being organized by the Valle Peligna Socio-Cultural Association will include Breakfast with Santa (December 10) - obviously with an emphasis on kids; the membership drive dinner dance (January 27) at the Caesar Roman Empire Banquet Hall; and a picnic at Boyd Park (August 5). "We are a young association, but we are eager to get together and get things done," concluded Di Cristofaro. "Helping one's neighbour enriches our spirit and makes us feel well with ourselves."

Publication Date: 2006-11-12
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=6762