From private initiatives to charitable donations, there are many ways you can make the holidays an occasion to give opportunity and hope to many communities in Italy and around the world and this December 7 there is the tree lighting event at San Firenze.
Once again this year, for the Christmas holidays the Andrea Bocelli Foundation has created a fundraising campaign to which – as always – everyone can offer their own contribution so that Christmas becomes a chance to swell the benefits of the network of donation and charity. The campaign launch coincides with Giving Tuesday, the day in which we are all invited to help build a fairer and more charitable and sustainable world. And sustainability is one of the elements that distinguishes ABF’s educational projects, to which the fundraiser is dedicated, which guarantee access to quality and inclusive education for thousands of children. Whether they be in situations of extreme poverty, such as in Haiti, or situations of social and territorial disadvantage, such as the areas of Central Italy hit by the earthquake, ABF is working every day to create empowerment pathways for the young citizens of tomorrow and their communities.
That is why – at this special time of celebration, and during this unusual year in which we are celebrating the 10th anniversary since the foundation was established – ABF has chosen to create a series of in-person and virtual initiatives that can bring everyone together under the banner of hope and solidarity.
On December 7, 2021, at 6.30 pm, in Piazza di San Firenze, the Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella, together with ABF’s President Laura Biancalani, will dedicate the lighting of the tree to all ABF families around the world. They will be joined by the Marquis Gondi of Palazzo Gondi and the Zeffirelli Foundation, as testament to the institutions present in the piazza that have come together to transform San Firenze into a beautiful social gathering place within the city.
On December 8, on the other hand, ABF will launch the “ABF’s Christmas: a Christmas of Hope and Opportunity” video on its official social channels and YouTube channel. This video was made with the participation of our founder Andrea Bocelli and the young students of the “E. De Amicis” pre-school and elementary school in Muccia. A video set to the notes of “Adeste Fideles” that traces the journey ABF has embarked upon for the last 10 years, starting from a home, from a family, most probably from a thought born from a moment inspired by the precious daily gestures of care and love that are able to brighten up even the darkest days. Yet Christmas is not really Christmas if it is not shared and if our soul is not at peace with having made its own small contribution so that its neighbor in need may also have the opportunity to celebrate it not once, but every day. And it is from here that this great desire to create opportunities for empowerment for people and communities comes to life and is given color through trips, meetings and stories… from the areas of the earthquake (Sarnano, Camerino and Muccia) to the other side of the world, where a choir of Haitian children smiles while singing the same song. The teaser for the video is already available on: andreabocellifoundation.org
For further information on charitable initiatives and donations, you can contact ABF’s offices at +39 055/295475 or email: development@andreabocellifoundation.org
Our heartfelt thanks go to the city of Florence, to the administrations of the ABF communities in the Marche region, to our local partner in Haiti the Fondation St Luc, to Coldiretti Toscana, the Tesi Group, Ledworks and Twinkly, Sugar Music, SIAE, Almud Edizioni Musicali, Maverick, PPG Studios, Sedici9 and Stranirumori, Omikron Firenze, to all the teachers and school employees, to Adesso Musica and to all the people who choose to support ABF every day because, as our founder reminds us,
“Helping your neighbor is a privilege that everyone should exercise with discretion and modesty, according to their own means”
– Andrea Bocelli.
