HOW WE'RE FIGHTING COVID-19
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Villa Charities Launches Virtual Wall of Thanks for our Long-Term Care Workers
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The staff at our affiliate Long-Term Care Homes – Villa Colombo Toronto and Villa Colombo Vaughan, are going above and beyond the call of duty to care for and protect the most vulnerable citizens in our community, our seniors. To shine a light on the extraordinary efforts and unwavering commitment of these front line health care workers and support staff battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Villa Charities has launched a virtual tribute wall that will display the messages of gratitude we have received from family members and others in the community. If you’d like to send a message of support for either long-term care home to be included on our virtual wall, please email
info@villacharities.com
or post a message on our
Facebook
,
Twitter
or
Instagram
page.
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Villa Charities Provides Meals to Seniors with Support from Food Partners
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During this unprecedented public health crisis, Villa Charities has strived to ensure the safety and well-being of the seniors living in its apartment buildings. At the onset of the COVID-19 restrictions, we reached out to a number of food partners and restaurants to arrange for free pre-packaged meals and comfort grocery staples for the residents. Since the program launched, the residents are very happy to be receiving these complimentary food deliveries, which include a variety of Italian favourites, treats and everyday items. To date, we’ve been able to provide Easter cakes (in partnership with Eataly Toronto), food comfort packages of essential grocery items (in partnership with Longo’s), Focaccia Toscana and Herb Focaccia (in partnership with Pizza Nova and MiMi Foods), pre-packaged meals (in partnership with The Food Dudes), digestive cookies (in partnership with Commercial Bakeries), dried pasta (in partnership with Sabrina Foods), bagels (in partnership with Fiera Foods) and more. Eataly Toronto will also be providing meals for our front line workers at Villa Colombo Vaughan. We thank these companies for their generous contributions and valued support.
The residents and their families have expressed their appreciation for Villa Charities going above and beyond to take care of them, as it makes them feel comforted and not so isolated.
“We thank you for taking care of our loved ones and keeping them safe!”
“Another lovely gesture for the seniors! Well done Villa Charities!”
“Yesterday my mother in law, aged 95, received a complimentary focaccia from Villa Charities and Pizza Nova. She was so excited and happy, it was a wonderful surprise amidst so much sad news! It made her day, she forgot she had been isolated for so long and set to work to enjoy the wonderful gift. Thank you, Villa Charities and Pizza Nova!”
“Thank you for bringing smiles to people’s faces in a time like this. May God reward all of you for the help you are giving all of us.”
If your company would like to get involved and donate food product for the seniors at our independent seniors’ apartments, please contact Cristina Costa, Director of Development at
ccosta@villacharities.com
.
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Join us for a Virtual Town Hall to Discuss our Reopening
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Villa Charities has been preparing for the past several weeks to welcome each of you back to a safer and healthier environment. We are hosting a virtual town hall session on Wednesday, May 20 from 10am – 12pm, to provide further updates and answer any of your questions about how our operations will be modified. The meeting will be held via the GoToMeeting platform. If you would like to participate, RSVP by Friday, May 15 to
csimpson@villacharities.com
and we will send you the meeting link to use.
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Villa Charities’ Seniors Support Team Featured in Article on Toronto.com
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Villa Charities was recently featured in an article on Toronto.com and in the North York Mirror to shine a light on our dedicated “Seniors Support Team,” which was created to focus on supporting our independent seniors’ apartments residents during the COVID-19 health crisis. This dedicated team of four staff members call all residents regularly to ask about their health status and are also assisting residents who do not have family members to help with their essential needs, such as providing groceries and medications.
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Drive-by Car Parade Held in Support of Workers at Villa Colombo Toronto
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On Friday, May 8, the Villa Colombo Toronto Family Council organized a “Drive-by” Car Parade to show support and appreciation for the healthcare workers at the long-term care home. The parade travelled along Playfair Ave. and then to the parking lot behind Villa Colombo Toronto toward the Fidani wing, where staff who were not able to make it outside or any residents who could safely make it to a window were welcome to join and enjoy.
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Eataly Toronto Provides Meals for Staff at our Long-Term Care Home
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On Saturday, May 16, Eataly Toronto is showing their support for our front line workers at Villa Colombo Vaughan by providing them with complimentary Pizza alla Pala. We would like to thank Eataly Toronto for their partnership and generous contribution. In March 2020, Eataly Toronto named Villa Charities as one of their Charities of Choice.
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Giving Our Seniors a Reason to Smile
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President and CEO of UniversalCare Canada Inc., Joseph Gulizia, was recently interviewed by TLN to outline how
long-term care homes including Villa Colombo Vaughan are keeping their elderly residents safe during the COVID-19 health crisis, and their initiatives to keep residents and staff positive and healthy.
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Villa Colombo Toronto Thanks Staff for their Dedication During COVID-19
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While many of us are staying home and practicing social distancing, our staff members at Villa Colombo Toronto are front and center, taking care of all our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Villa Colombo would like to thank everyone who has been so amazingly generous in sending their love, positive comments, prayers, and greetings. Thanks also to all those who have been sending food and refreshments for the staff members to enjoy.
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Your Donation Can Buy a Food Comfort Package for a Senior in Need
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As our seniors take every precaution to remain isolated and safe, grocery shopping continues to be a challenge for many. In response, Villa Charities has partnered with Longo’s to prepare a “Food Comfort Package” for every resident living at Casa Del Zotto, Caboto Terrace and Casa Abruzzo. Each package contains $50 worth of food staples such as dried pasta, tomato sauce, olive oil, vegetables, beans and chickpeas, canned tuna, ‘S’ cookies and more. Please consider donating $50 or more toward this initiative. Your donation will go directly toward the purchase of Food Comfort Packages for seniors in need.
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New Outdoor Musical Performances for Apartment Residents
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Our seniors’ apartment residents can continue to enjoy
Serenata Al Fresco
, weekly outdoor performances by local Italian Canadian musician from the safety and comfort of their homes. On Friday, May 8, accordion virtuoso Claudio Santaluce performed for the residents at Caboto Terrace and Casa Del Zotto. Upcoming performances include Andrea Ramolo at Caboto Terrace and Casa Del Zotto on Friday, May 15, and at Casa Abruzzo on Friday, May 22.
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Villa Charities Continues with Outdoor Fitness Classes for Seniors
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Outdoor ZUMBA
®
classes will continue every week for the seniors in our apartment buildings. Residents can follow along with Columbus Centre Athletic Club instructors, for an opportunity to get some exercise, enjoy great music and have fun, while staying safe in their homes. The next sessions will be held on Tuesday, May 19.
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Support our COVID-19 Safety Measures and Keep our Seniors Safe
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Please consider making a donation in support of COVID-19 safety measures at Casa Del Zotto, Caboto Terrace and Casa Abruzzo today. As COVID-19 continues and our seniors are self-isolating, the demand for our safety measures remains high. Villa Charities is taking extraordinary steps to protect the health of our seniors and your generous donation can help fund essential COVID-19 safety measures at our independent seniors’ apartments.
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OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Sign Up for our Online Learn Italian by Doing Program
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Don’t miss your opportunity to experience our online series “
Domenica in Cucina
- Learn Italian by Doing from Angelita’s Kitchen” to learn new Italian vocabulary, all while preparing easy-to-follow, classic Italian recipes. The next session will be held on Sunday, May 17, when we will be making Crostata. Contact us today to book your spot – limited spaces available!
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Enjoy Readings of “Morning” and “The Man Called Beppino” by Pier Giorgio Di Cicco
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Born in Arezzo, Italy, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco served as the City of Toronto’s Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2009. He has written 13 books of poetry, and his prose focuses on the Italian Diaspora in North America, family conflict, spiritual identity and global problems. Join DopoLavoro Teatrale actresses Danya Buonastella and Maddalena Vallecchi Williams for video poetry readings of “Morning” and “The Man Called Beppino” by Laureate Pier Giorgio Di Cicco.
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Apply for the Villa Charities Scholarship Program Before June 30
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Villa Charities has launched a new national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The Villa Charities Scholarship Program will be 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 Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
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Proceeds from New Children’s Book Donated to Villa Charities Foundation
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Writer Ava Baccari from Vaughan, Ontario has written her second children’s book. “Then the Robins Sang”, published by Channel 13 and now available in paperback and eBook on Amazon, is dedicated to all the kids who have been indoors since the beginning of spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help with COVID-19 relief efforts and to acknowledge Ava’s Italian heritage, 100% of the proceeds from each sale of “Then the Robins Sang” will be donated to Villa Charities Foundation. Ava recently spoke to OMNI Television about how she hopes this sweet story will remind everyone that we are in this together.
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Follow Along with Instructor Alicia Chen in New Art Tutorial Video
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Enjoy our newest free tutorial led by Columbus Centre instructor/artist Alicia Chen. This short painting tutorial will take you through a step by step demonstration on how to paint a beautiful scenic landscape. You will learn principles of underpainting, colour mixing and brushstrokes. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience.
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DanzArts Toronto Offers New Online Recreational and Adult Classes
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We are excited to announce that DanzArts Toronto is offering new online classes via the Zoom app. Our Online Jazz & Ballet Combo class will give students the chance to learn the fundamentals of both Jazz & Ballet in a fun and high-energy environment. Plus, try our new Adagio Bootcamp and Ballet classes for Adults! Contact us today to learn more about our online classes and how to register.
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Try our Home Workout Videos for Total-Body Exercise
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Have you tried our Home Workout videos at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club? The latest workout video includes Deadlifts, Prisoner Squats, Pull Overs, Shrugs, Wall Crawlers and Door Frame Isometric Press. Please watch the video and then follow along with the workout description on our website. Try Home Workout #7 now!
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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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