What's New

The Italian Welfare League is pleased to report, in the fiscal year that just ended, $110,195 was donated to children of Italian descent who are ill or otherwise suffering emotional trauma. That brings the number of total contributions since 2001 to $313,000 among 168 children. Like the “Little Engine That Could,” we are climbing up the charitable mountain, one small child at a time!

Providing momentum in disbursing these funds among children within the Italian American population are organizations and agencies that have received Special Needs Grants from The League. Since last year, when the Special Needs Fund was established, 11 grants have been made.

Meanwhile, individual cases of children worthy of assistance, are continually brought to The League’s attention, mostly through news reports, referrals from physical therapists and social workers, and by word-of-mouth.

One such case is a 7 ½ year old girl from Staten Island who suffers from spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. According to her mother, the one thing that put a smile on her face was a specially equipped “Freedom” bicycle she had an opportunity to ride at a trade show. The League has chosen to “Adopt” this special child for Christmas and Santa’s elves are currently working on outfitting the “Freedom” bike for a trip down her chimney! Look for photos of her at this site shortly thereafter!

Additional Italian Welfare League elves are busy working on stocking-stuffers for other worthy recipients, who will soon join the ranks of Nostri Bambini featured on this site’s Recipients’ Page. Stay tuned . . .

Download current press release (PDF) here.
Contact: Teddie Legeard
(212) 861-8480