Villa Charities Proudly Celebrates 50 Years Today!
Villa Charities festeggia oggi i suoi primi 50 anni!
Thursday, April 15, 2021

Today, Villa Charities proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary. To commemorate this momentous occasion, we are hosting a series of virtual initiatives and programming throughout the year that will honour the past, recognize the history and contribution that the Italian Canadian community has made to Canada, and look forward to future growth and opportunities.

Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) was established in 1971 as the Italian Canadian Benevolent Corporation (ICBC) with a mission to raise funds for and develop, administer and coordinate projects in the health, social, cultural and educational fields, which would establish the concept of ‘community’ for Italian-Canadians and their families.

Since then, the organization has transformed and grown to adapt to the needs of the changing community around us. As a registered charity, Villa Charities’ mission is to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. We fulfill this mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with our affiliates and independent organizations. The Villa Charities affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Toronto; Villa Colombo Vaughan and apartments for independent seniors Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo. Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board.

For the past five decades, VCI has played an important role in supporting the Italian community and advancing the appreciation and promotion of Italian culture. Today, Villa Charities also attracts an increasingly diverse non-Italian community who enjoy Italian culture through many programs and experiences.

We invite you to join our celebration by enjoying all the special content we have created in honour of this historic occasion. Tell us how Villa Charities has impacted your life using #VCI50.

View the full press release here.

Viva Villa Charities, for another 50 years!
Explore VCI’s History with our Timeline
Over the last 50 years, there have been many memorable highlights throughout the Villa Charities journey. View our Historical Timeline to revisit special moments and key milestones, that led to where we are today.

50th Anniversary Celebratory Greetings Videos
As part of the anniversary celebrations, community leaders, luminaries and renowned Italian personalities were invited to share congratulatory greetings acknowledging the organization’s milestone.
 
TLN Media Group Commemorates VCI’s 50th Anniversary
In celebration of Villa Charities’ 50th Anniversary, TLN Media Group has produced a series of commemorative interstitials featuring interviews with members of the Villa Charities family, including founders, board members and stakeholders. These videos will be shared through Villa Charities’ platforms and are airing on TLN and Mediaset Italia TV channels throughout April to tell the Villa Charities story.
 
City of Toronto Honours VCI’s 50th Anniversary
In honour of Villa Charities’ 50th Anniversary, the City of Toronto has issued a congratulatory scroll in recognition of the organization’s contribution to the community and accomplishments over the past 50 years.

CN Tower Themed Night Lighting Tonight
The CN Tower will be lit in the Italian flag colours of green, white and red in celebration of Villa Charities’ 50th anniversary, signifying the organization’s importance as a pillar for the GTA’s Italian-Canadian community. You will also be eligible to win another $100 Eataly Toronto gift card by snapping a photo of the CN Tower lit in green, white, and red and tagging us (@villa_charities). The themed lighting for Villa Charities will occur on the half-hour of each hour, following a standard eight-minute light show, from sunset to midnight, tonight. View the lighting in person if you live in the neighbourhood or watch the CN Tower’s EarthCam feed here.
 
TORONTO Sign Commemorative Lighting Today
To commemorate Villa Charities’ 50th anniversary, the TORONTO sign at Nathan Phillips Square will be lit up in the Italian flag colours on April 15! If you’re in the neighbourhood, take a photo of the iconic Toronto landmark lit in green, white and red for a chance to win a $100 Eataly Toronto gift card. Please be sure to participate safely and follow all the recommended COVID-19 protocols.

50th Anniversary Contest – Enter to Win a Food Dudes’ Dining Experience
To celebrate #VCI50, we are giving away a premium dining experience for two, courtesy of our food services partner, The Food Dudes. Follow our social accounts for details and for your chance to win!

Engage with All #VCI50 Content
Share our fun, interactive content such as a customized Facebook frame, 50th anniversary Instagram filters, Top 50 Spotify playlists, monthly contests and more! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube today!