Le Manzane, success for the 14th ®️Solidarity Harvest: a touching and moving tribute to Sammy Basso

A sun-kissed day, filled with smiles and enthusiasm, marked the 14th annual ®️Vendemmia Solidale (Solidarity Harvest) at the Le Manzane estate in San Pietro di Feletto (Treviso). Over 500 people, including families, volunteers, associations, and friends, took part in the traditional grape harvest ritual yesterday, transforming a day of celebration into an act of love that this year will travel far, even to Ghana: proceeds from the event will go towards building a school as part of the "In My Father's House" project.

The event opened with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new "Vigneto Solidale," symbolically dedicated to the 14 beneficiary associations of the ®️Vendemmia Solidale (Solidarity Harvest). The ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by the warm welcome of the audience, was attended by Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region, accompanied by Ernesto Balbinot, owner of the Le Manzane winery, his wife Silvana Ceschin, and their children Marco and Anna. Moderating, with his customary touch of elegance, was Riccardo Checchin.

A touching and moving moment was the tribute to Sammy Basso, the young researcher who passed away last October and who dedicated his life to raising awareness about progeria, the premature aging disease he suffered from. He received a minute's applause and his unforgettable quote was read: "If you want to remember me, don't waste too much time on various rituals. Pray, of course, but also grab a drink, toast to my health and yours, and be cheerful." And just as Sammy would have wanted, there was no shortage of toasts and smiles, celebrating life, friendship, and solidarity.

"The idea that a manufacturing company can dedicate part of its operations to solidarity is a powerful message," said Governor Zaia, who added: "This is a true people's celebration." The mayor of San Pietro di Feletto, Cristiano Botteon, emphasized the initiative's educational value: "When we help children learn, we've achieved our goal." Diego Tomasi, director of the Consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, envisioned this day as a guiding star that will bring light and hope from Italy to Africa: "A dream that starts here and reaches Ghana."

"Over the course of 13 years," said Ernesto Balbinot, "we've raised over €150,000. And this year we're making history with ®️Vendemmia Solidale. Every cent donated today will go directly to building the school in Abor. We'll be back there to see everything for ourselves." Anna Balbinot, Ernesto's daughter, recently returned from a firsthand experience in Ghana. She spoke emotionally: "I can't wait to return in November with the funds raised to start building the school. It's a project that touches our hearts." Volunteers Giulia and Alice, supporting members of the association, recounted their five weeks in Ghana, where they organized educational and sports activities for children. "We currently manage more than 40 schools, serving a total of 5,000 children. We also offer scholarships. In some villages, children are already working at age 9. Education is fundamental." "Goodness is contagious; it's needed in every corner of the world," said Mario Cincotto, a volunteer with our sister organization, Nella Casa del Padre Mio.

A message of gratitude also arrived from Father Peppino, directly from Ghana: "Thank you and the Le Manzane winery for your support. This project will support the school in one of our villages, which currently only has shelters. We hope to transform them into a real school. May the Lord bless you."

The day's program was packed: guided winery tours, puppet shows, live music with Riflesso (formerly known for "The Band" on Rai 1), an aperitif featuring Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Le Manzane, seafood finger foods from Ca' del Poggio, cheeses from Latteria Perenzin, and the Spritz Challenge - To Be Happy Edition, won by Marco Varisco, the ebullient president of the "XI di Marca" (Marca XI), crowned "Ambassador of Smiles," with a recipe based on Brunello bitters, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Le Manzane, rhubarb, bitter orange, cinchona rubra, and wild thyme.

Over the past 14 years, ®️Vendemmia Solidale has supported numerous organizations. Here's a list of the beneficiary organizations and the projects funded, year by year:

• 2012 Friends of Diego Onlus for the purchase of home aids for disabled children. Diego Maschietto was present.
• 2013: Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired, in collaboration with the Treviso branch of FISAR, to fund the activities of the local chapter. Former president Mario Girardi was present.
• 2014 Fondazione Dottor Sorriso Onlus supports clown therapy activities in the ward.
• 2015 Città della Speranza Foundation Onlus for pediatric cancer research. Former president Franco Masello was present.
• 2016: Oltre il Labirinto Onlus Foundation for Autism for the purchase of four Hugbikes, the special "hug bikes." Founder and CEO Mario Paganessi was present.
• 2017 Disabili No Limits Onlus for the purchase of two special wheelchairs for the "Vicenza 4 Cats" wheelchair rugby team. President Giusy Versace was present.
• 2018 Italian Progeria Association Sammy Basso Onlus for research into progeria and diseases related to premature aging. Laura and Amerigo, Sammy's parents, were present.
• 2019 Onlus Revert, in collaboration with the social enterprise Edipo Re, to support ALS research. Then-manager Angelo Righetti was present.
• 2020 ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana for the Covid wards, Per Mio Figlio Onlus. President Andrea Rizzo was present.
• 2021 LILT Treviso (Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer) for the rehabilitation activities of the Akea Rosa project, dedicated to women who have undergone breast surgery. President Nelly Raisi Mantovani and Councilor Fedele De Cristofaro were present.
• 2022 ENPA Treviso (National Animal Protection Agency) for funding caregiving activities. Councilor Stefano Pamio was present.
• 2023 Unico 1 Onlus by Diego Murari, with part of the proceeds going to Father Paolo in Kiev and part to the Tonello Foundation for the "Casa Enrico" day center in Fara Vicentino. Diego Murari was present.
• 2024 C'è Da Fare ETS by Paolo Kessisoglu for the CDF Safe Teen Dolomiti project, a psychological support service for adolescents in difficulty.