HOW WE'RE FIGHTING COVID-19
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Thank You for Supporting our Seniors with COVID-19 Safety Measures
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We are very happy that the City of Toronto has now officially entered Stage 2 of the phased reopening. With many businesses now open and the threat of COVID-19 reduced, our COVID-19 Response Initiatives for the Independent Seniors' Apartments residents will come to an end this week.
The many support programs and services we offered included free pre-packaged meals and comfort grocery staples, personal safety items such as face masks and gloves, weekly
Serenata al Fresco
outdoor musical performances by local Italian-Canadian musicians, outdoor prayer services, weekly ZUMBA
®
classes, and a dedicated “Seniors Support Team” that called the residents regularly to ask about their health status and assist with essential needs. In addition, we also launched dedicated fundraising campaigns to help fund the essential COVID-19 safety measures we provided to them.
We would like to thank all the generous food partners and corporate sponsors who got involved to help support our seniors during this critical time.
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- Channel 13
- Commercial Bakeries
- DeMarco Pharmacy
- Eataly
- Fiera Foods
- The Food Dudes
- Glen Park Pharmacy
- Jan K Overweel
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- John Vince Foods
- Lady York Foods
- Longo’s
- Mimi Foods
- Panoram Italia Magazine
- Pizza Nova
- Sabrina Foods
- Wholesome Kids Catering
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Most of all, we would like to thank the residents themselves for participating in these programs and for staying home, staying safe and doing their part throughout this public health crisis. We are confident that the spread of COVID-19 was greatly reduced because of their actions and we, along with our community, are very grateful. As always, Villa Charities remains committed to the safety and well-being of our wonderful seniors.
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Villa Colombo Toronto Hosts Seniors’ Month Events in June
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June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario and despite the public health crisis we are currently facing, Villa Colombo Toronto would still like to honour all the wonderful contributions our seniors have made to our community. In celebration of this special month, Villa Colombo Toronto has been offering a variety of events for the residents to keep them engaged and lift their spirits, including an outdoor musical performance on June 15, Gelato Day on June 17, and a pizza lunch on June 22. Today, the residents will be treated to an afternoon of dolcini and café.
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We’re Ready to Welcome You Back - Our New Protocols and Procedures Digital Guide
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We’re happy to share our “New Protocols and Procedures” digital guide, where you’ll find a summary of what patrons, visitors, tenants and staff can expect when our on-site operations resume, and the measures we have put in place to keep the Villa Charities community safe while enjoying our programs and services. We look forward to seeing you back on the Villa Charities campus very soon!
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Your Donation DOUBLED During Italian Heritage Month
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In honour of Italian Heritage Month, donations made throughout June to support COVID-19 Response Initiatives will be matched dollar-for-dollar by members of the Villa Charities Foundation Board of Directors. That means your contribution and the impact of your donation will go twice as far to support COVID-19 response initiatives. Don’t miss your chance to have your donation doubled and make a difference in a senior’s life today!
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Show Your Support for Health Care Workers on our Virtual Tribute Wall
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During these difficult times, it is important to show our appreciation for the front line health care workers and support staff battling the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not too late to express your support for our affiliate Long-Term Care Homes by sharing a message of gratitude to be displayed on our virtual tribute wall. If you’d like to send a message of support for either long-term care home, please email
info@villacharities.com
or post a message on our
Facebook
,
Twitter
or
Instagram
page.
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Upcoming
Serenata Al Fresco
Performance for Seniors
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Villa Charities will host the next performance of the weekly
Serenata Al Fresco
outdoor concerts for the seniors’ apartments residents to enjoy from the safety and comfort of their homes. Tenor Michael Nasato and Pianist Adolfo De Santis will perform for the residents at Caboto Terrace and Casa Del Zotto on Friday, June 26.
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OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Marco Mendicino Shares Video Message for Italian Heritage Month
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In honour of Italian Heritage Month, Marco Mendicino, M.P. for Eglinton-Lawrence, has shared a video with greetings for the Italian-Canadian community. Together we celebrate the incredible contributions of over 1.6 million Canadians of Italian heritage and the strong friendship between Canada and Italy. Click on the image or the link below to watch the video message now.
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Join Us for the Villa Charities Virtual Community Open Forum
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We invite all members of the community to join us for a virtual public meeting to discuss highlights from the Villa Charities Annual General Meeting and the new Villa Charities Strategic Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for the organization over the next three years. The meeting will be hosted on the GoToMeeting platform and will include separate sessions with a brief presentation and Q & A for Villa Charities Inc. and each of the Affiliate organizations. If you would like to participate, please RSVP by Friday, July 24th to
csimpson@villacharities.com
and confirm which sessions you would like to join. We will send you the individual meeting links to use.
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All Episodes of Italian Heritage Month Video Series Now Available
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Embark on a cultural and visual journey in our popular four-part video series, “My Secret Venice with Sebastiano Bazzichetto.” As part of our Italian Heritage Month programming, travel to grand Venetian houses, museums, and lesser-known enchanting places of Venice that will be sure to leave you spellbound. The fourth and final episode in the series discusses
Palazzo Labia
- watch all episodes now!
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Enjoy an Online Musical Homage Dedicated to Italian Heritage Month
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To celebrate Italian Heritage Month 2020, an online tribute concert was presented on June 12 on Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto’s YouTube Channel. “
Vorrei fossi qui
– Wish you were here” featured some of the best local Italian Canadian musical talent, performing a variety of genres and styles. The concert showcased a line-up of all-female artists including, Elisa Citterio, Romina Di Gasbarro, Daniela Nardi, Sara Papini and Andrea Ramolo. Co-presented by Villa Charities, in partnership with a number of Italian Canadian and Italian organizations. If you missed the live event, the video replay is available to watch now!
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Villa Charities Partners with Tech Organization to Provide Free Support for Older Adults
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Villa Charities is partnering with TechServeTO, an organization that provides free technology support to older adults. No matter your tech need, their volunteers are happy to help you figure it all out, making life easier for you (and your loved ones!). Support is provided by telephone. They will match you with a volunteer who will answer your technology questions and give you helpful instruction. If you are interested in these free services, please contact them today!
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Last Chance to Apply for the Villa Charities Scholarship Program
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There are only a few days left to apply for our national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students! The Villa Charities Scholarship Program is available to students of all backgrounds and faiths, who believe in and will help further Villa Charities’ mission to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. Applications must be submitted by this Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Apply now before it’s too late!
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Athletic Club Members Enjoy Use of Outdoor Tennis Courts
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The Columbus Centre Athletic Club is delighted that the recent reopening of our outdoor tennis courts has been welcomed with great interest and enthusiasm. We would like to thank our members for their continued support and understanding, and for following the safety guidelines. Any current Athletic Club members who are interested in reserving a tennis court must email
fitness@villacharities.com
, and you will be provided with the necessary login information to complete your booking. Visit our website for more information on tennis court bookings and for a complete list of rules and regulations.
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Book an Audition for DanzArts Toronto’s Competitive Programs
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Think you have what it takes to be a part of our competitive company at DanzArts Toronto? Auditions for our full time and part time Competitive Dance Programs, beginning fall 2020, will be held throughout the summer as virtual video auditions or private one-on-one on-site auditions. If you are interested in booking a private audition, contact us now to learn more.
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Follow us on Social Media for News and Updates
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901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3 I
About Us
Villa Charities Foundation Charitable Registration Number: 89337 0767 RR001
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