Buona Pasqua!
As spring awakens us to warmer weather and blooming flowers, the Italian Welfare League remains steadfast in its mission of giving to children who are suffering from physical disabilities and emotional trauma. Since 2001, our “I Nostri Bambini” campaign has helped many deserving families with medical bills, therapeutic services, transportation, rehabilitation and special needs equipment . Your generosity and support has allowed the League to donate more than $2 million to nearly 2,000 bambini.
This past year, our “Adopt-a-Child at Christmas” recipient was a 4-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The IWL donated $1,750 for one week of physical therapy and a gift card for the child. We contributed toward the purchase of a service dog for a college student with cerebral palsy. We also donated gift cards to a mother and her teenage children who lost everything in the California wildfires, and to an 11-year-old boy with Down Syndrome whose family also lost their home in the wildfires.
We donated $2,000 for a 3-year-old boy with congenital heart defects and multiple surgeries whose specialized physical therapy is not covered by insurance; gave gift cards for diapers and clothing to a 2-year-old boy who tragically lost his single mom and his 3-year-old sister, and partially paid for the hospital bill of a 10-year-old boy with a rare cancer who is not responding to chemotherapy. The nearly $10,000 donated thus far is in response to some of the heartbreaking stories that the League hears throughout the year, and is just an example of the work we continue to do.
As you celebrate with your families during this Easter season, we hope you will open your hearts and make a contribution that will allow us to continue helping these bambini. We are a small group of caring volunteers committed to improving the lives of these children and offering a ray of hope to these families, but we cannot do it without your support. Please see our website for additional information about who we are, or how to donate online. The Board and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your generosity. From our famiglia to yours, auguri di Buona Pasqua!
