CARNEVALE CELEBRATION AT CASA ITALIANA
Local Italian and Italian American organizations joined together this year to celebrate a Carnevale fundraiser to benefit the victims of the earthquakes in central Italy. The sold-out event, with more than 270 adults and children attending, was held on February 27 at the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center. Among the organizations planning the event were the Lucchesi nel Mondo-Tuscany Club; the Italian Cultural Society; Italians in DC; Casa Italiana Ente Gestore; Amico; MaPaCi; Comites of Washington, DC; Casa Italiana; Holy Rosary Church; and, of course, AMHS! The adults were entertained with recorded music provided by the local band, the I-talians.
For the children, the entertainment included the Clown4You, a magician, face painting, and balloon sculptures. Later the children presented a song called “Rap di Carnevale.” The event was catered by Osteria da Nino, Shirlington, VA. Winning the most original costume was Daura Spadoni, who appeared as Arlecchino. The best couple costume award went 3 to Giovanni and Maria Sciannameo, who were dressed as Bert the chimney sweep and Mary Poppins. Winner of the best overall costume was Simonetta Baldassari, who appeared as Doctor Ballanzone.
AMHS wishes to thank the members who helped with the event, namely Nancy DeSanti, Tricia Maltagliati, Joe Cusato, Edvige D’Andrea, Sam Yothers, and Maria D’AndreaYothers. Special thanks also to members of the Italian Cultural Society who helped in the kitchen and with serving food. It literally “took a village” to make this Carnevale a success.
It is worth nothing that the event raised $3,664.36. Holy Rosary Church added the remaining amount to reach $4,000. As Father Ezio Marchetto, pastor of Holy Rosary Church said, “It is a great achievement for everyone”. The Church sent the donation to the Provincial office in New York, who will transfer the money to the Church’s missionaries in Rome.
They will personally bring the donation to the bishop of the area affected by the earthquake. In this way the whole amount will reach the population without the usual percentage being deducted by charitable organizations. The donations will be given with the indication that the money should be used only to make the Easter time better for the children of the affected area (e.g. chocolate Easter eggs, 1st Communion dresses for children, special meals on Easter and so on). We will ask that the recipients of the donation send us acknowledgments in the form of letters, pictures and/or messages.