The American International League of Florence (AILO) celebrated its annual Donation Day this afternoon in the Sala d’Arme at the Palazzo Vecchio.
The event supports various charities and volunteer programs throughout Florence and the surrounding area with proceeds raised during last year’s AILO Christmas Bazaar. Nine charities received financial support from AILO, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Following opening statements by AILO president Judi Roselli-Cecconi and vice-president Jocelyn Fitzgerald, and remarks by city councillor Nicola Paulesu and the Tuscany regional vice-president Stefania Saccardi, representatives from each local charity explained their work and how the donations would be put to use.
The charities that received donations were AIL Firenze ODV, the Florentine chapter of the Italian Association against Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma; Associazione Davide e Golia Onlus, helping children with neuropsychomotor skills, speech and psychotherapy; Cooperativa Sociale Pamapi, a rehabilitation centre for adults on the autism spectrum; Florence Iris Garden, to improve disabled access and safer accessibility; Fondazione ANT Onlus, providing the Tuscan cancer charity with the funds needed to buy a new ultrasound system for the purposes of prevention among low-income families; Fondazione Giorgio La Pira, the intercultural centre established in 1978 supports international students from countries at war or in harsh situations and the donation will help a Syrian refugee studying at the University of Florence; Misericordia di San Pietro Martire (Campo di Marte), providing medical services and transportation; Religiose del Sacro Cuore di Firenze, the religious order supports 330 students, including a young refugee from Russia with learning disabilities; and VAB Viglianza Antincendi Boschivi, the volunteer forest fire service in Tuscany is purchasing high-pressure hoses that can also be used to remove water during floods.
