In these difficult months hit by the pandemic there has been no shortage of solidarity initiatives. The Italians have once again shown their temper. Empathy, a spirit of initiative and a desire to fight took to the field. All together. Let us remember that man, throughout history, has known how to fight and defeat diseases and epidemics. Today we are talking about a beautiful reality - all Italian. The name itself evokes two main characters of the most beautiful country in the world: heart and friendship. We talk to you about Heart Friend.
Cuore Amico: solidarity and love of neighbor are at the center
THECuore Amico Onlus Association was born in Salento and immediately received great acclaim and a large number of adhesions. "Cuore Amico - Salento Solidarity Project"In fact arouses the attention of the loving community of Lecce. To which are added the most authoritative television broadcasters in the area. The main phases of the project concern the identification of the cases to which to allocate the fundraising and the television marathon of January 6th. TeleRama e Telesalento are the broadcasters that enthusiastically host this event. “Cuore Amico is my sweetest and kindest creature” - he says Paolo Pagliaro editor of TeleRama and creator of the project. “What we have done with our association in these twenty years of activity is something extraordinary. Thanks to the generosity of the Salento people and the commitment of all our volunteers we were able to create a big family" - continues.
The association usually intervenes to help children with problems that cannot be taken care of by the national health system. In these months of covid-19 emergency however, it has taken steps to collect and distribute foodstuffs. The emergency has in fact brought entire families to their knees but not those feelings of friendship and closeness that can make a difference.
Cuore Amico and the effectiveness of sharing
"The real strength of our action is sharing" - explains Pagliaro. "The economic crisis has crushed most of the families and we would not have stood by and watched." Due to the health emergency, the traditional delivery of contributions and cars for children in difficulty was not organized on Palm Sunday. “At that moment we decided that something had to be done very important e targeted to the emergency of the coronavirus ”- is what the publisher of TeleRama declares. “In addition to those who were already in trouble, this crisis has created a new audience di people who suffer in silence".
“Therefore it was necessary to act. We took the field with a lot of determination and with courage we collected and continue to collect, and we distribute, food packages. To all those who have requested it: mayors, parish priests, associations, families. Nobody should be left behind. Also this time Salento has responded generously ”.
Actions that make a difference
“Make yourself available to Salento and our community, to your neighbor with a spirit of service, convinced that sooner or later we all need everyone. This is what inspires us in Cuore Amico. We tell it because we would like to be an example for the Italians. An example steeped in actions. The overriding idea is that no one saves himself alone. We are human beings and a collective. It is a simple thought that creates generosity and commitment ”- explains Pagliaro.
“The sacrifices that we are called to make every day are many. However they are paid off by the smile of our children and the families we can help. We ease a pain that would be even more difficult to bear alone. Heart Friend for Salento it has managed to get where the institutions have not been able to give answers. In addition to this we also take the field in extraordinary occasions like this one of the emergency sanitary. By providing our proven structure. We proudly donate all the proceeds down to the last cent ".
The goals achieved: numbers and upcoming commitments
“At Easter we have already reached large numbers. Thousands of food packages have already been delivered on that date. That day we drew a line, to return to the field immediately after Easter Monday. Five thousand solidarity packages delivered made it clear to us the importance of our action. She has been supported by solidarity work di Market House of Copertino and from the commitment ofGreen Giubbe Civil Protection Association. So we rolled up our sleeves and continued thanks to the Salento companies. I quote Alicom of Veglie, the DOC supermarkets by Marco De Giorgi, Quarta Caffè, Wurstel Scarlino, Mebimport, La Cupa, Salvatore Giannetta's Conad supermarket in Martano that supports us on a daily basis. Thanks to our volunteers who tirelessly lend their work ".
“We will communicate the numbers at the end but I can already say that we have doubled. We are around ten thousand food packages delivered. To be honest, however, we can't wait for this emergency to end. This is because the Salento people are not a people who want to live on the charity of others. On the contrary, it is a proud people made up of hard workers. They need to take their lives back into their own hands ”- he concludes.
Featured photo by Duy Pham on Unsplash
