{:en}It amounted to about 4,600 euros the proceeds of ’Loano Solidarity Live Show,“ the third edition of the now traditional ”solidarity party“ promoted by the City of Loano in collaboration with local associations and held on Saturday, Dec. 22 at the PalaGarassini in Loano.
If the first two editions of “Add a Place at the Table” consisted of a long table set up on the waterfront and a “solidarity lunch” prepared by city associations, the third edition turned into an all-out show starring Loano's stars of entertainment.
Once again this year, the event's primary purpose was to raise funds to be donated to Visso, the town in the province of Macerata that was severely affected by the earthquake that struck central Italy in August 2016. “Once again,” commented Mayor Luigi Pignocca, "our community confirmed its generosity and great spirit of solidarity by giving help to our friends in Visso, who are still today, three years later, unfortunately dealing with the consequences of the 2016 earthquake. The testimony given to us during the evening by Giovani Casoni (president of the Red Cross committee of Visso, Ussita and Castelsantangelo sul Nera) reiterated how much still needs to be done to bring life back to normal in these territories. In its own small way, our town wanted to make its own contribution to the achievement of this goal.".
New this year, part of the proceeds was used to purchase materials and equipment for the inter-municipal civil protection group of Toirano, Boissano and Loano: “The earthquake that hit Visso and the wave of bad weather that hit our region at the end of October have once again highlighted the fundamental role played by civil protection, public assistance and the many volunteer associations. In agreement with the Municipality of Visso, therefore, we decided to allocate part of the proceeds of the solidarity party to the purchase of equipment for the inter-municipal civil protection group of Toirano, Boissano and Loano. In particular, a professional starter starter and four medical first aid kits were purchased: these materials, costing a total of about 600 euros, will supplement the equipment of the emergency vehicles of the inter-municipal group of civil defense and forest firefighting volunteers.”.
Tickets for the “Loano Solidale Live Show” were distributed by the city's many sports and volunteer associations. “As an administration,‘ adds Tourism, Culture and Sports Councillor Remo Zaccaria, ’we would like to thank all the associations who, with commitment, contributed to the organization of this event and the many citizens and tourists who purchased tickets, thus helping us to put together these very important funds. And a big thank you also goes to Marco Dottore's Eccoci Eventi agency, which took care of the organization of the evening, and to the artists who honored us with their presence on December 22: from Elena Ballerini to Celeste Mathieu, from Vittorio Brumotti to Giorgio Molteni, from Renzo Sinacori to Shel Shapiro, from Enrico Mutti to Roberta Bonanno. The ”Loano Solidale Live Show' was a great show, the result of the choral and passionate work of many people who wanted to make themselves available for an important cause.".
The evening, masterfully hosted by showgirl Elena Ballerini, was opened by the symbolic embrace between Loano Mayor Luigi Pignocca, Councillor Remo Zaccaria and representatives of the Loano Cri with a delegation from the Visso, Ussita and Castelsantangelo sul Nera Red Cross of Visso led by committee chairman Giovanni Casoni. Volunteers from Macerata brought testimony of the dramatic consequences of the earthquake that struck central Italy two years ago and the difficult work of relief and reconstruction.
Dancer Celeste Mathieu, actor and cabaret performer Renzo Sinacori and director Giorgio Molteni took the stage next. The “surprise” guest was biker and “Striscia la Notizia” correspondent Vittorio Brumotti, who with his enthralling sympathy improvised some spectacular evolutions on two wheels with the help of Elena Ballerini, Luigi Pignocca and Remo Zaccaria.
Also invited to the evening were “loanese by adoption” Shel Shapiro and film, TV and theater actor Enrico Mutti, who, unable to be present in person due to work commitments, sent a video message of greetings to the entire audience. Special guest singer Roberta Bonanno, starring in a real mini-concert with some of her most famous hits.
“Loano Solidale” does not stop here: it is still possible to contribute to the fundraiser by symbolically purchasing tickets available at the Italian Red Cross headquarters in Piazzale Aicardi 5 (in front of the Coop supermarket on Aurelia Street) and at the many sports and volunteer associations that collaborate in the initiative.{:}
