Hellas Verona Foundation at ArtVerona: ‘Casa Insieme A Voi’ project recognised as a national model / VIDEO

Audience with Pope Leo XIV on 18 November announced alongside Caritas Verona and launch of Christmas solidarity initiatives

Verona – This evening, Hellas Verona Foundation took centre stage at ArtVerona for the first time, joining forces with AFaD, a Verona-based company operating in the luxury goods and security sectors, specialising in the safekeeping and protection of valuables and precious items. It was a special event that brought the worlds of charity and art together in a spontaneous and meaningful dialogue.

Among the exhibition halls hosting some of the most interesting artworks featured in the 21st edition of the fair, the event provided an opportunity to share the Foundation’s main activities, the current status of its projects and some important new initiatives that will involve Hellas Verona Foundation’s executives, ambassadors and volunteers in the coming months, with almost 200 guests in attendance.

The initiatives were presented during a reception served by the young men and women of the Ape’n Down association. Speaking on the occasion was Simona Gioè, the Club’s General Director and a member of the Foundation’s Board. Also in attendance to offer their greetings were Andrea Amighini, AFaD’s Administrator, Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere, and Don Matteo Malosto, Director of Caritas Diocesana Veronese.

Andrea Amighini: “I would like to thank all of you for being here this evening. Your presence has made it possible to bring together the worlds of business, sport and social engagement, and we are honoured that this partnership is taking place in such a prestigious setting as Verona’s art fair. For me, today is a double honour, as I can celebrate the 15th anniversary of our company, AFaD, together with all of you, alongside my business partner, Fabrizio Danzi, and our entire team. Our company can boast several achievements of which we are very proud, including being the first jewellery business in Italy to have a vault dedicated to private clients. Our focus on customers and their needs, together with our constant search for unique pieces, is what sets us apart. However, everything we have built to date would not have been possible without your support, and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Many of you here have had the opportunity to discover an organisation that has become an integral part of my life, and the fact that so many of you have chosen to support it makes me extremely proud and even more grateful. I am referring to the social enterprise Ape’n Down. I do not want to say too much about it, because, as I always like to say, Ape’n Down cannot be described; it can only be experienced. This evening, we have given each of you the opportunity to experience the high-quality training our social enterprise provides to our young people, whom you will see in action during the reception. I will not take up any more of your time. I would simply like to thank Hellas Verona and Hellas Verona Foundation for joining us in this partnership this evening, and, of course, Veronafiere for hosting us and providing this wonderful setting.”

Simona Gioè: “Our Foundation was established with the mission of turning the deep bond between Hellas Verona and its community into tangible acts of care and solidarity. Among the various initiatives we pursue every day with dedication, the beating heart of our work is currently the ‘Casa Insieme a Voi’ project, developed together with Caritas Verona to provide shelter, dignity and the warmth of a home to people going through a period of severe hardship. It is precisely because of the human and community value of this initiative that I would like to share an achievement that fills us with pride. On 18 November, the executives and volunteers of Hellas Verona Foundation will attend an audience with Pope Leo XIV. The invitation was extended at the initiative of Caritas Italiana, which has recognised the remarkable impact of ‘Casa Insieme a Voi’ and identified it as a model to be replicated nationwide. This will be a unique opportunity to tell the Pope about our daily commitment to the local community in Verona. With the upcoming festive season in mind, the Foundation also wishes to actively involve our community and the businesses in our city. We have created four Christmas food and wine gift boxes, available in four different price ranges, as a charitable Christmas gift that our partner companies and anyone wishing to support us can give to their employees and collaborators. All proceeds from sales will be donated to Hellas Verona Foundation to support and further develop the ‘Casa Insieme a Voi’ project. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has chosen to stand alongside us since the Foundation was established four years ago. To those discovering our work for the first time this evening, I extend an open invitation: get involved with Hellas Verona Foundation, support our projects and help us make a difference to those who are suffering and facing hardship every day.”

Federico Bricolo: “First of all, I would like to thank AFaD, Andrea and Fabrizio for choosing this evening and this event to promote this initiative. Once again, Verona has shown its ability to bring out the very best in itself. I believe these connections represent the best of Verona: a city where people volunteer and seek to help others. I would also like to acknowledge Caritas’ contribution in supporting the ‘Casa Insieme a Voi’ project together with Hellas Verona Foundation. This is not an easy journey, but by persevering and involving people, we will succeed in making the positive work we are doing in Verona increasingly visible. My congratulations go to Simona Gioè and the Foundation, because reaching the point of presenting this project to the Pope is a milestone worth highlighting.”

Don Matteo Malosto: “On behalf of Caritas Verona and the Bishop, I would like to express my profound esteem for you and for everything you do for the entire community. As far as our project is concerned, we have been able to move forward thanks to our commitment. No other organisation in the football sector as prominent as Hellas Verona has ever made such a strong commitment to supporting Caritas, contributing to the creation of a home that will accommodate ten women who are victims of violence. So, let us keep moving forward and bring our project to the Pope as well.”

An evening that demonstrated the strength that can emerge when art, sport and solidarity come together: a genuine alliance capable of inspiring new hope and keeping people and the common good at the heart of everything.