The message is clear:
#ISTAYATHOME BUT I HELP HOSPITALS. Some of the best known and most representative Italian chefs have decided to join the initiative of Italia a Tavola to raise funds for the intensive care of two hospitals, symbol today of the fight against coronavirus: Papa Giovanni XXIII of Bergamo, the structure today at the center of the area most affected by the coronavirus and therefore with the greatest difficulties in the management of beds and the sick, and the Spallanzani of Rome, a national garrison that may soon have to be on the front line as it is today in the north.
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The category most affected so far by the emergency (and which is closing restaurants all over Italy, with serious problems also for the staff) does not give up reminding Italians of the value of solidarity. And here they are on the field as testimonials. Some of the most famous Italian chefs representing Italy and the whole category, commit themselves to the launch of a fundraiser on the
GoFundMe.com. There are important starred chefs who made a personal video such as
Chicco Cerea with his brother
Bobo (Bergamo),
Enrico Bartolini (Milan),
Mauro Uliassi (Ancona),
Giovanni Santini (Mantua),
Umberto Bombana (Hong Kong) and
Sandro Serva (Rieti) and presidents of associations such as
Rocco Pozzulo of FIC and
Enrico Derflingher of Euro-Toques.
Many others followed, such as the 3 Michelin stars
Enrico Crippa, who preferred not to appear on video but launches this appeal: «In a delicate moment for our country and for our health system it is right to commit ourselves to overcome the emergency. My appeal for all of you is aimed at supporting initiatives like this that allow you to find economic resources for research and to support the health of our country. It is a hard time for all of us, but we will all make it together ». And many oth seers will now adhere to this invitation by supporting the initiative which is a non-profit.
In the most critical moment for Italy since the post-war period, the world of Italian cuisine, one of the sectors brought to its knees by the epidemic, does not renounce the absolute value of solidarity and therefore takes the field to give concrete support to operators and healthcare facilities that deal with the coronavirus emergency. We can all do something to concretely help the doctors and scientists who are doing a very important job.
This is why Italia a Tavola has decided to financially support the intensive care units of the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo and the Spallanzani Hospital in Rome at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus through a public fundraising to buy respirators and support machinery.
Even a small donation can make a difference.Donations (minimum € 5) can be made through the dedicated GOFUNDME platform, with a final figure to be reached set at € 50.000. The invitation to everyone - even those who could not make donations - is to spread and give as much visibility as possible to the fundraising campaign, sharing it and relaunching it through social channels.
The project also aims to look "beyond" the emergency: the sooner we eradicate this virus and stop the number of infections and the victims, the sooner we return to being Italy that works, produces and invests. To do this, everyone's help is needed: companies, professionals, private citizens. By supporting hospitals and medical personnel, you will have the concrete possibility of promoting healing and accelerating the overcoming of this crisis which has now affected all sectors, devastating the economy of the entire country. Let's restart Italy!
#italiaatavolanonsiferma vs COVID-19
Some of the chefs who have already joined the fundraising campaign have highlighted the importance of the work done by medical staff. «We have heroes around us - said
Chicco Cerea - doctors, nurses, auxiliaries, volunteers, who are working every day for our lives, for our community. We have to help them tangibly, making a donation». «I thank all the socio-health workers who are working to save our population - said
Rocco Pozzulo - and I ask everyone to support this fundraiser for the purchase of respirators and medical material».
Others insisted on the importance of respecting the government's provisions. «Out of respect for our collaborators and our customers, we must observe what the decree imposed on us - said
Enrico Bartolini - but from home we can help health workers, through a small gesture».
Giovanni Santini also said: «We all have a duty to stay at home, but even from home we can do something important and great».
The invitation to remain united unanimously having a clear goal of the common good. «It is a complicated, difficult moment - underlined
Mauro Uliassi - the premises are closed, on people's faces you can read the bewilderment. We must try to stay united and help those who really need it like hospitals right now». «Many of our colleagues have closed restaurants - admitted
Enrico Derflingher - it is a difficult moment; we must remain united because only if we are united will we be able to defeat this virus». «It is right that our category should also contribute - remarked
Sandro Serva - my invitation is to involve as many people as possible».
A message of closeness also comes from abroad, to be precise from Hong Kong: «All my support for our great and beloved country in these dramatic moments - said
Umberto Bombana - with hospitals in emergency and people who are sick. Let us help the authorities so that this moment passes quickly».
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Per trasparenza pubblichiamo di seguito e in allegato all'articolo la lettera del direttore del dipartimento Affari istituzionali e generali dell'Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII di Bergamo, in cui dichiara che al termine della raccolta fondi attesterà in via ufficiale l'ammontare della somma introitata:
Egr. dr. Lupini,nel ringraziare sin d'ora per la sensibilità manifestata, La informo che i fondi che saranno raccolti attraverso la campagna avviata sulla piattaforma GoFundMe dovranno essere versati sul c/c intestato all'ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII presso la Banca Popolare di Sondrio (istituto tesoriere dell'azienda) IBAN IT52Z0569611100000012000X95, indicando possibilmente nome, cognome e codice fiscale di chi ha provveduto al versamento.Sarà poi inviata lettera di ringraziamento a firma del direttore generale e, come richiesto, attestazione sull'ammontare della somma introitata.Grazie ancora.Buona serata.Mariagiulia VitaliniDirettoreUOC Affari istituzionali e generaliASST Papa Giovanni XXIII
Bergamo