| This is a simple appeal to all my fellow Americans who have visited The Cinque Terre, particularly Vernazza, a town in dire need of our assistance. The following two pictures speak for themselves |
BEFORE
NOW
I think you can deduce the magnitude of the flooding that occurred on October 25, 2011. You have arrived
at this web site for either of two reasons: 1) You know me directly or 2) You know someone who knows me. A
brief introduction would be appropriate either way. I'm a US citizen who has lived in Italy, specifically in the
Liguria region, for the last 14 years. Vernazza has been a 30 minute weekly train ride for myself, wife and
3yr old daughter who especially enjoyed the gelato after having lunch at one of our many favorite
restaurants, which are ALL of them of course. One can imagine our shock to have witnessed the total
devastation of this ancient, wine producing village that has charmed millions of visitors, especially Americans,
who hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Vernazzans. After the catastrophe, I was asked by my
colleague and close friend, whose mother was a resident in Vernazza, to tap my connections in America to
raise awareness of its plight. On a sad note, his mother actually died of a heart attack from the trauma of
witnessing the torrent of mud racing though the bottom floor of her house. R.I.P.
After I agreed to help, I was contacted by a representative of the city of Vernazza who granted me the
authority to raise funds directly for the city. It was certainly an honor. Please read the official decree here.
Ok, so how can you donate? Two ways. The first way (and best way) is to directly donate to Vernazza and
get your name PERMANENTLY recorded in one of the new buildings being erected as part of the
reconstruction effort. The website is called "Una Pietra Per Vernazza" (A Stone for Vernazza). The site is
entirely in English and donations are given through PayPal. An individual donation of 20 EURO (about
$26.00) will get you immortalized. (50 EURO if you want your company name to appear) The website can be
found HERE. Some things to mention:
1) The donation is NOT tax deductible under the US tax code
2) If you use your credit card through PayPal, your credit card company MAY charge you an international
transaction fee from 1% to 2%. Example: a 20 Euro ($26) donation will actually cost you $26.26 or $26.52.
If you don't want to incur the international transaction fee, nor do you want to be immortalized as a donor,
you can send payment directly to ME. I will use the exchange rate (as published on AMEX) on the day you
donate and I will provide that amount by check to the Vernazza association. You can send money to my
PayPal account: mazzim@yahoo.com It would be preferable if you donate directly to Vernazza.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me: mazzim@yahoo.com
BOTTOM LINE: Please, please donate!!!! If you've ever enjoyed Vernazza, it's time to give back, BIG!!!
Need convincing, watch this VIDEO.
at this web site for either of two reasons: 1) You know me directly or 2) You know someone who knows me. A
brief introduction would be appropriate either way. I'm a US citizen who has lived in Italy, specifically in the
Liguria region, for the last 14 years. Vernazza has been a 30 minute weekly train ride for myself, wife and
3yr old daughter who especially enjoyed the gelato after having lunch at one of our many favorite
restaurants, which are ALL of them of course. One can imagine our shock to have witnessed the total
devastation of this ancient, wine producing village that has charmed millions of visitors, especially Americans,
who hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Vernazzans. After the catastrophe, I was asked by my
colleague and close friend, whose mother was a resident in Vernazza, to tap my connections in America to
raise awareness of its plight. On a sad note, his mother actually died of a heart attack from the trauma of
witnessing the torrent of mud racing though the bottom floor of her house. R.I.P.
After I agreed to help, I was contacted by a representative of the city of Vernazza who granted me the
authority to raise funds directly for the city. It was certainly an honor. Please read the official decree here.
Ok, so how can you donate? Two ways. The first way (and best way) is to directly donate to Vernazza and
get your name PERMANENTLY recorded in one of the new buildings being erected as part of the
reconstruction effort. The website is called "Una Pietra Per Vernazza" (A Stone for Vernazza). The site is
entirely in English and donations are given through PayPal. An individual donation of 20 EURO (about
$26.00) will get you immortalized. (50 EURO if you want your company name to appear) The website can be
found HERE. Some things to mention:
1) The donation is NOT tax deductible under the US tax code
2) If you use your credit card through PayPal, your credit card company MAY charge you an international
transaction fee from 1% to 2%. Example: a 20 Euro ($26) donation will actually cost you $26.26 or $26.52.
If you don't want to incur the international transaction fee, nor do you want to be immortalized as a donor,
you can send payment directly to ME. I will use the exchange rate (as published on AMEX) on the day you
donate and I will provide that amount by check to the Vernazza association. You can send money to my
PayPal account: mazzim@yahoo.com It would be preferable if you donate directly to Vernazza.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me: mazzim@yahoo.com
BOTTOM LINE: Please, please donate!!!! If you've ever enjoyed Vernazza, it's time to give back, BIG!!!
Need convincing, watch this VIDEO.
Need convincing, watch this VIDEO.