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Double Your Impact This
Holiday Season!
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This holiday season, please consider giving a tangible charitable gift that will make a lasting impact. Whether you’re generously providing a personal gift yourself or giving this gift in honour or memory of a loved one, it’s not too late to donate to Villa Charities Foundation and get your tax receipt for 2023. Not only will your donation help Villa Charities continue to help provide programs and services that honour Italian culture and heritage, but your donation will also be matched up to $10,000* by a generous anonymous donor. | |
*Donations made between Nov 15th – Dec 31st will be matched up to a maximum of $10,000. Please note tax receipts will only be issued for the donation amount and will not include the match. | |
Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute | |
#TributeThursday – Donor Spotlight | |
For our last #TributeThursday donor spotlight of 2023, we’d like to share the heartwarming story of Carmela Lupinacci and Pasquale Guido, who both immigrated from Cosenza, Calabria in the 1950s. | |
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“Our mom and dad raised us on the Italian immigrant journey and the dream. They were post WW2 immigrants. Our Toronto home at 386 Lauder Avenue was the backdrop for the magical transition that would take place. We were all becoming Canadian Italians while holding a warm heart for our Italian heritage. We were told of the sacrifices, and early bewilderment of a foreign land where few spoke Italian and the rest ate sweet white bread.
Our mom Carmela Lupinacci was 17 years old when she left the port of Naples. Waving goodbye until there was no one left to see. It would be 14 days and nights before she would arrive at Pier 21. There she boarded a train and arrived exhausted and elated. Her first job was on River Street sewing powder puffs in a factory. She was a trained seamstress and had a sewing machine in our basement, that spun dreams.
Our father Pasquale Guido joined his beloved Carmelina a year and 6 months later. They married within 30 days. His family would never join him in the immigration exodus. He was always restless about that. His first job was laying down sod in Mimico. He eventually got a job at the iconic factory Tip Top Tailors on Lakeshore Blvd. There he pressed suits. He was a union man and worked piece work for 25 years until he became a floor supervisor. They raised three children and had five grandchildren that would spin dreams beyond their imagination.”
Carmela and Pasquale Guido achieved their dream and left a lasting legacy for future generations.
This Christmas, purchase a tribute plaque and give the everlasting gift of honouring your family’s Italian Canadian history for years to come.
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Get into the Holiday Spirit with Coro San Marco | |
Celebrate the festive season with “A Christmas Concert: Pastores Transeunt Usque Bethlehem”, a live performance of holiday music by Coro San Marco on Monday, December 11 at 7:30pm. Under the baton of Daniele Colla, pianist Adolfo De Santis, violinist Carina Charmaine Sandejas along with other talented vocalists will perform a selection of traditional Christmas music sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Buy Tickets
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Final Opera è Vita Concert: Passion for Puccini | |
If you haven’t come to one of our Opera è Vita series concerts yet, this is your last opportunity! The final concert, “Passion for Puccini”, spotlights Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and explores why his music has an immense ability to reach our deepest emotions. International soprano Sara Papini and acclaimed tenor, multi-instrumentalist and composer Romulo Delgado will lead this exciting concert lecture, sharing insightful observations on the composer as well as performing some of the most famous arias and duets from his iconic operas. Join us on Tuesday, December 12 at 7:30pm.
Buy Tickets
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Embark on a Captivating Literary Adventure with “Club del Libro” | |
Violante Binazzi leads our popular online book club, where participants can explore and discuss award-winning Italian literature while learning Italian. On Wednesday, December 20 at 7:00pm, join us as we explore “Il cane di terracotta” / “The Terra-Cotta Dog” by Andrea Camilleri, author of “The Shape of Water”. The second novel of the internationally popular Inspector Montalbano series, this mystery takes readers on a journey through Sicily's past and into one family's darkest secrets. Each session is only $10!
Register Now
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Book Your One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with Marco | |
Have a question about our programs and services? Take the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc. Appointments are 20 minutes each between 11:00am and 12:00pm and must be scheduled in advance. The next available Friday Chats are scheduled for Friday, December 8 and Friday, January 12. Contact us today to schedule your in-person or virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.
Book Your Meeting
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Villa Charities Foundation | | |
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Virtual Ceremony for 2023 Scholarship Program Recipients | |
On November 22nd, Villa Charities Foundation hosted a virtual event to recognize and celebrate the 2023 Villa Charities Scholarship Program recipients. The Undergraduate and Graduate Student Scholarship recipients, their families, Board members and staff were in attendance. It was great to meet the 2023 winners virtually and hear how receiving this scholarship has had a significant and meaningful impact on their educational journey and career pursuits.
Congratulations to all the 2023 student winners and watch for updates about the 2024 Scholarship Program!
Learn More
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Registration Now Open for the 17th Annual Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser | |
Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser event on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Registering early has its benefits! Everyone who signs up by December 31, 2023, and donates a minimum of $25.00 online at time of registration will receive 50% off* a General Membership for the first 6 months at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club.
*Conditions apply.
Register Now
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Register Now for Winter 2024 Aquafitness Classes | |
Our Gentle and Deep End Aquafit programs provide a great stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic workout in warm, soothing water, perfect for toning muscles and improving flexibility. Classes begin the week of January 8th and registration is now open to Members and Non-Members, online through our website or in-person at the Membership Office during office hours. For more information at fitness@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 215.
View our Aquafit Programs
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DanzArts Toronto provides professional level training to students of all ages and skill levels. Registration is still open for our 2023/2024 Recreational dance season. Please visit our website to view our full Recreational schedule or contact
dance@danzartstoronto.com If you have any questions. Don't miss your chance to dance with us this season!
Learn More
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Learn a New Instrument in the New Year | |
Register now for winter term classes and learn a new instrument in the new year! Columbus Centre School of Music offers affordable and practical lessons in many instruments for kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. Choose from saxophone, clarinet/flute, violin, piano, guitar, drums, ukulele, accordion or music production with one-on-one instruction by our experienced teachers. The 10-week winter program runs from January 8 to March 18, 2024. Contact cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 248 for more information or to register.
Learn More
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Get Fit with Small Group Personal Training | |
Our Small Group Personal Training program is a fantastic opportunity for Columbus Centre Athletic Club Members to benefit from the energy and camaraderie of group fitness with the individualization and the attention of a personal trainer, at a fraction of the cost. Sessions are designed to provide motivation and accountability, ensuring consistency in reaching your fitness goals. Our trainers specialize in providing results for those who are looking to build muscle, gain strength, improve endurance, and boost fat loss. For more information, visit the Membership Office or email fitness@villacharities.com.
Learn More
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Winter Registration for Premium Group Fitness Programs Opens on January 2 | |
Need some extra motivation? Start the new year with one of our Premium Group Fitness Classes and make progress on your fitness goals, get a full-body workout or learn self-defence. Classes include Cardio Kickboxing, Judo, Pilates, TRX®, Yoga, and more. Our certified instructors will teach you the proper techniques and form, but most of all, they’ll make sure you have fun!
Not a Member? Not a problem! These programs are all available to Non-Members. You can sign up for these classes without the commitment of a membership. Registration for 2024 winter term classes opens on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 for Members and Non-Members, in-person at the Membership Office or online.
View Programs and Pricing
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Registration for Winter 2024 Swimming Lessons Opens January 6 | |
Learn to swim in the new year! With our large indoor swimming pool, our swimming classes cater to preschool-aged children just learning how to swim, to seniors who enjoy aquafitness. Mark your calendar now - Winter 2024 Swimming Lesson Registration opens on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 9:00am for Members and Non-Members, in-person at the Membership Office. Swimming lessons will begin the week of January 15th for children and adults. For more information, call 416-789-7011 ext. 215 or visit our website.
Learn More
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Squash and Pickleball Programs Return in January | |
Columbus Centre Athletic Club has Squash and Pickleball programs beginning in January that are perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. Our Adult and Kids ‘Learn to Play’ Squash programs are 10-week beginner workshops with a focus on squash fundamentals. The Adult Intermediate Squash program focuses on fine-tuning squash skills. Or why not try your hand at pickleball? Registration for 2024 winter term clinics opens on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, for Members and Non-Members, online or in-person at the Membership Office.
Learn More
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Massage Therapy Makes a Great Holiday Gift! | |
Columbus Centre Athletic Club offers massage therapy with Registered Massage Therapists, to help you relax and rejuvenate. Treat yourself or someone else to a session and enjoy the many health and wellness benefits of this therapeutic treatment. Gift certificates are also available for holiday giving!
Learn More
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A Message from a Valued Arts Partner | | |
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Columbus Concert Band Performs at St. Charles Borromeo Church | On Tuesday, December 12 at 7:30pm, our Parish will feature the Columbus Concert Band, who will perform a Family Christmas Concert, right here in our Church (811 Lawrence Ave W, North York).Donations to benefit the SickKids Foundation will be accepted by our Parish until the evening of the Concert on December 12th, either in the box in the Church vestibule or by visiting the SCB4KIDS fundraising page. Please bring your family and invite your friends to this festive event! | |
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Our Mission:
Enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
Our Vision:
Inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us.
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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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