GIRO to support the Red Cross
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal
After a two-year hiatus, our cycling fundraiser, Giro will return to the Veneto Centre on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Villa Charities will always remain committed to raising funds in support of our mission to provide funding for senior care, cultural programming, youth services, education, capital needs and scholarships, but this year we feel it’s our social responsibility to help support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. 
 
We ask you to ride with us on May 29, 2022 and raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross. Villa Charities will donate funds raised to the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. The Government of Canada will match every donation to the Canadian Red Cross up to a maximum of $30 million (CAD). Donations will support those impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
 
The Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal will support the efforts of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to respond to the humanitarian needs in Ukraine and surrounding countries. Donated funds will allow the Red Cross to support preparedness, immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including support to populations that have been displaced.
 
Help us support our fellow world citizens by registering today for Giro and riding with us on May 29, 2022.
Sign up online today! 50% off registration ends March 20th.
Mandatory fundraising minimum of $300 per rider.
Enjoy Authentic Italian Cuisine
with “Taste of Friuli”
For our Taste of Italy series, join us to savour the flavours of the Italian peninsula. Indulge in delicious and authentic Italian dishes prepared by Slow Food Toronto President and Chef, Luciano Schipano. Our next dinner, “Taste of Friuli,” is on Friday, March 25 at 7:00pm at the Columbus Centre and includes a four-course meal!
MENU
Antipasto – Starter
Frico con Patate su Zuppetta di Fagioli Bianchi
Frico with potatoes on a bed of white bean soup
 
Primo – First Course
Blecs con Salame Pitina e Verdure
Blecs (buckwheat pasta) with pitina (salame) and vegetables

Assaggio di Risotto al San Daniele
Tasting of risotto with San Daniele
Secondo – Entrée
Rabasicci Friulani su Letto di Polenta e Montasio
Rabasicci Friulani (savoy cabbage rolls stuffed with veal and pork)
on a bed of polenta and Montasio
 
Dolce – Dessert
Koch de Gries, Budino di Semolino
Koch de gries, semolina pudding


Get your tickets early for this ’gastronomic journey through the peninsula’ before the event sells out! 

PRICE: $100.00 (per person)
Price includes complimentary wine during dinner service. Additional wine, beer, mixed and soft drinks will be available for an additional cost.
Villa Charities
COVID-19 Update for
Villa Charities and Columbus Centre
Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre will continue to maintain the masking requirement for all patrons, members and visitors to our facilities. We anticipate this policy will be in place until the end of April 2022, to coincide with the end of all remaining masking mandates. We recommend this ongoing protective measure for everyone who visits or participates in our programs and services, despite the easing of other restrictions. 

Please continue to check the Villa Charities website at villacharities.com/COVID-19 and social media (Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram) for the most recent information. 

Explore Your Ancestry
with Italian Family Tree Workshops
Villa Charities invites you to join the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club’s Family Tree Guy Don Rampone for a series of eight online workshops beginning tonight through May 5, to help you create and grow your own family tree. These interactive and participatory, introductory-level workshops will encourage attendees to share their own examples, which will be used as educational opportunities. Price is $35.00 for the series of eight workshops.

Click here to watch an interview with the authors on OMNI Italian News.
Meet the Authors of “What is the Language of Power?”
Join Villa Charities along with authors and UTM professors Simone Casini and Salvatore Bancheri for a special book launch event on Friday, March 18 at 7:00pm at the Columbus Centre. “What is the Language of Power?” reflects on the concept of power from a linguistic perspective. This book launch is a great opportunity to meet the authors. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A. Participants will also be given the opportunity to purchase a signed copy. Presented in partnership with University of Toronto Mississauga. RSVP today!

Discover “The Florentine Renaissance” at Cultural Tuesdays 
Don’t miss the second presentation by
Dr. André Lanoue on “The Italian Plato,”
as part of our Cultural Tuesdays programming. Exploring the foundation of the Florentine Platonic Academy led by intellectuals such as Marsilo Ficino and Pico della Mirandola, “Renaissance Platonism in Florence” on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00pm will shed light on the philosophical pendant of the Italian Renaissance as well as some of its
lesser-known repercussions.
Preserving Italy’s Catholic Church Registries
This virtual Cultural Tuesdays presentation on March 29 by Suzanne Greco, founder
of the “Italian Parish Records” project, discusses the importance of these
hand-written registries and the urgent need to digitize these records, to preserve the priceless history of Italy.
Join us for Italian
Parent & Tot Classes
L’ora dei bimbi is a unique and inspired Italian language program for parents and toddlers co-presented by Multilingual Kids and Villa Charities. Embrace your heritage 
while bonding with your child through songs, rhymes and stories. Join us at the Columbus Centre on Wednesdays at 10:00 am starting March 30 through June 1.

For more information,
Click here to watch an interview with
the artist by CTV’s Pauline Chan.
“2050: Artifacts from the Future of Medicine”
Now Open
Artist, scientist, philosopher, futurist,
Nick D’Aleandro imagines fictional realities where medicine, genetic engineering, micro technologies, and robotics, come together to stave off disease and prolong human life. D’Aleandro has delivered a tour-de-force exhibition representing 25 years of drawing, collage, sculpture, and video art, populated by “orgs”, androids, and cyborgs. Don’t miss this exhibition,
on now through April 3 at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery.
“Romulus and Remus” – A Look at the Roman Myth
The story of Romulus and Remus, the
two legendary brothers nourished by a
she-wolf and doomed to fight to the death over the foundation of Rome, is one of the most famous Roman myths. This Cultural Tuesdays lecture on April 5 at 7:00pm intends to examine the ancient forms of
the myth, to reflect on its significance for modern times and explore why this myth is so relevant. Tickets are only $5.00.
Join Us for our
Italian Expat Party!
Did you move from Italy in the last 20 years? Then join us and fellow expatriates for a friendly meet & greet on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Columbus Centre. Reunite with fellow colleagues and celebrate new friendships as we enjoy some entertainment, un bicchiere di vino and a casual piatto di pasta prepared by Chef Luciano Schipano.  Presented in partnership with AIRIcerca Toronto Chapter, COM.IT.ES Toronto and Italiani a Toronto.  

Don’t Miss Our “Learn Italian by Doing” Programs
Our virtual language workshops will make learning or enhancing your Italian language skills easy and fun. At “Travel Through Italy” with Adele Addorisio you’ll have engaging conversations about the country and its customs. Or discuss the most significant art news and events from around the world using Italian magazines and newspapers at our “Art & Aperitivo” classes. Love reading? The “Club del Libro” online language workshop with Violante Binazzi is an opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary Italian literature while learning Italian.

Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with Marco
You can have a virtual meeting with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., for a one-on-one conversation to answer any questions or to share your thoughts on our programs and services. These informal chats with Marco will be held using GoToMeeting on the 2nd Friday of every month, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments are 20 minutes each and must be scheduled in advance. The next Friday Chats is scheduled for Friday, April 8. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.

Villa Charities Foundation
Register Now for the
Ital-Canadian Golf Open
Join us on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at The Country Club, as CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada, and Villa Charities Foundation come together again to celebrate our community and give back in a meaningful way. Proceeds from The Ital-Canadian Golf Open will support scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate and graduate level students across the country. Visit italcanadiangolfopen.com for details and to register.

Columbus Centre
Register Now for Spring Term Music Classes!
Registration is now open for the spring term at Columbus Centre School of Music, beginning Monday, April 4 for 12 weeks. We offer a wide variety of music lessons that are open to anyone of any skill level. Our seasonal one-on-one private lessons in vocals, guitar, piano, violin, flute, clarinet, or drums are taught by our highly skilled professional instructors. Full details on our website.
Spring Term Art Programs Now Available!
Our unique art classes teach varied techniques while inspiring creativity. Register now and express your artistic talents in one of our many workshops, taught by our expert instructors. There’s a class suited to every interest and skill level, including Sculpting, Textile Painting, Children’s Sketching and Drawing, Landscape & Artista Painting and more! Spring term classes begin the week of April 4, 2022.
Try Your Hand at Squash and Racquetball
Try your hand at squash and racquetball on one of our five courts and make strides
in your game. Whether you are a first-time player or a seasoned veteran, everyone is  
welcome! Our “Rust Remover” program is for intermediate players returning to squash with a six-week program beginning on March 27. Our All-Girls Learn to Play Squash Program beginning March 30 is geared for girls aged 6 to 14 who are new to the sport and the Adult Beginner Learn to Play is a six-week program starting March 30 with a focus on squash       
fundamentals.       
Get Ready for Tennis Season 
Spring is around the corner and that means the Columbus Centre Athletic Club is gearing up for a new season of our tennis programs. Stay tuned for more info. 
Villa Colombo Toronto
Province Approves Application for VCT’s Upgraded Beds
On March 9th, the Ontario government confirmed it will add 1,328 new and 641 upgraded long-term care beds across nine not-for-profit long-term care homes in Toronto, including one municipal home. The project funding will include 256 upgraded long-term care beds at Villa Colombo Toronto. Following the revitalization of the long-term care facility, there will be a total of 381 beds in Villa Colombo Toronto. Construction is expected to start by spring, 2024. We will continue to share updates as more details are available.