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The recent fair temperatures soon will yield to traditionally frigid ones that will increase the likelihood of walking in a winter wonderland. The lower digits may make many giddy for Christmas but may sap others who dread not being able to provide their children with garments to brave the cold or presents to celebrate the holiday.
Dr. Pasquale Nestico and his colleagues at Filitalia International, 1834 E. Passyunk Ave., are tending to families’ dearth of delight by running their sixth annual Christmas Seals Program.
“We began as a pilot study with the intent to help needy families,” Nestico, of the 3100 block of South 19th Street, said from his cardiology office, 1809-13 Oregon Ave..
The medical professional founded Filitalia, which means “Love for Italy,” in 1987 to preserve and advance his homeland’s customs, heritage and language globally. The South Philadelphia Chapter, one of 21 bodies operating in five countries, initiated the outreach in 2006 by helping eight underprivileged households. Its tally has swelled to about 300 clans, with last year’s endeavors assisting 86 families and their 126 children. Based within East Passyunk Crossing, Filitalia receives the names of struggling locals from numerous churches, with Annunciation BVM, 1511 S. 10th St.; St. Gabriel, 2917 Dickinson St.; St. Nicholas of Tolentine, 1718 S. Ninth St.; St. Thomas Aquinas, 1719 Morris St.; and Stella Maris, 814 Bigler St., providing this year’s lists.
“We had calls in September that expressed communities’ needs,” Maria DiDonato, a Nestico employee and Filitalia’s humanitarian chairman and board of directors’ treasurer, said of spiritual sites’ seeking to make the holiest time of year not seem wholly miserable.
The resident of the 2600 block of Dudley Street oversees 14 committee members, most younger than 30. Their ages and solid financial status make Filitalia’s distribution day especially difficult, as the recipients’ destitute identity always brings tears.
“I have to tell them to keep it together,” DiDonato said of her assistants.
The droplets match the overhead discharge, as inclement weather typically accompanies the center’s event.
“The reason we have horrendous weather is that when you do things like this, not only the community but also the sky is crying,” Nestico said.
Patients laud doctors for their bedside manner, yet Nestico, a clinical professor of medicine with Drexel University’s College of Medicine at Center City’s Hahnemann University, wants only for people to see his actions as proof of his allegiance to Filitalia’s motto, “Humility, Justice and Honesty.”
“My ultimate joy comes from having the young participate and community members donate,” he said.
In its five years, the committee, including Marco Buffetta, of 18th Street and Oregon Avenue, has enjoyed success in allaying emotional woes and through ShopRite, 2301 W. Oregon Ave., has met physical needs with $50 and $100 gift cards. The store’s participation touches DiDonato, who recently read of the increasing cost of food and shortages at food banks.
“It can be tough for people to accept charity, though,” she said. “Our distribution is happy and sad. The day is a humbling experience.”
Filitalia confers the endowments onsite to either church figures or the residents. Most of the beneficiaries are strangers to the center, yet the human condition inspires sympathy regardless of familiarity.
“Many of the people have nothing,” DiDonato said.
Her mindset has led Filitalia to ask for new and unwrapped clothes and toys and monetary donations. It gave 10 toys to each child last year and would like to match or top that amount.
“We make no specifications,” Buffetta, whose mother Rosetta Miriello is another Nestico employee and Filitalia’s first vice president, said of the playthings that will go to children ages 1 to 10. “We will be grateful for whatever we receive.”
Nestico’s waiting room is acting as a mini Santa’s workshop in preparation for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. distribution Dec. 11, as goods — collected weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. — are waiting for company and eventual smiles from excited youngsters. With 10 days left until the gadgets find new owners, DiDonato is hoping the space becomes so clogged that transportation to the Filitalia office will have to occur sooner.
“We always need to give back,” she said of sharing one’s blessings with neighbors.
Its name reveals amore for Italy, but Filitalia could just as easily be dubbed “Filpersone,” love for people, as it has spent the last 24 years revealing an attraction to strengthening lives. Educational activities include granting 19 scholarships and offering Italian lessons. Cultural pride comes through participation in the Columbus Day Parade and Aug. 15’s Ferragosto Block Party, a celebration of the vacation season.
Food and wine tasting events delight connoisseurs annually, and art and music celebrations discuss Italian contributions to civilization. April’s Franco Ceraso Foosball Tournament and September’s Giovanni Monterosso Bocce Tournament show off athletic instincts, and citizenship, education and leadership and humanitarian awards honor outstanding individuals.
Proud of their heritage and its emphasis on Christmas, DiDonato and Nestico have enjoyed showing their generosity to area inhabitants. Their roles always warm their hearts but possess a tinge of gloom.
“I have joy and sadness,” DiDonato said of encountering the families. “We are helping them for one day, but what happens to them the other 364?”
She has received reinforcement for her actions from St. Nicholas’s pastor, Rev. Nick Martorano, who has told her she is answering her calling no matter her conflict.
“That has been a big help,” she said.
She and Nestico are hoping for contributions to multiply this weekend, with the two stating an extreme need for coats. Last year ranks as their most successful and, aware of the increased need for compassion, they hope to accumulate enough presents and donations to brighten 100 families.
Pennsylvania oversees seven Filitalia chapters, so Nestico, the overall president, yearns to make this month a memorable one for the Keystone State. He and DiDonato are looking for big dividends from an in-the-works fundraiser at Chickie’s and Pete’s, 1526 Packer Ave.
Though Nestico aspires to have Filitalia touch the world each day, he knows the Christmas season presents the best chance to remind everyone of the commonalities of the human race, namely, the needs to feel loved and secure. His father, Aurelio Nestico, passed away Nov. 17, so Nestico and DiDonato have dedicated this year’s drive to his memory, with DiDonato prepared to make Christmas synonymous with rejuvenation.
“We cannot be saviors,” she said, “but we can at least be encouraging.” ■
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124. Comment at www.southphillyreview.com/news/features.
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