ST. ANTHONY FOUNDATION of CHARLOTTE
The St Anthony Foundation of Charlotte is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization founded by Dr. Vincent E. Voci in 2006 to carry on his Boston Italian Family tradition and to help People with Special Needs. The Foundation’s main fundraising event each year, St Anthony FESTA ITALIANA Charlotte, is becoming the Best Italian Festival in the Southeast with the Best Italian Gourmet Food, Beverage, and Fun. FESTA ITALIANA Charlotte has grown from a Friends and Family event of 40 people in 2006 at Uptown Grandview apartment complex to Queens University with 200-300 people and now 500 people Uptown at Gateway Village. This was only possible because of Contributions of Many Generous People, Volunteers, Sponsors and Venues, Chefs, Entertainers, Restaurants, Cafes, Vendors, Retailers, Wholesalers, Photographers, and the Media donating their talents, money, food, wine, beer, services, products, and music that we are so proud of. Because of all this Generosity, the Foundation’s Festivities have raised hundred’s of thousands of dollars for Nevins Center, helping create opportunities for Special People with Special Needs. These funds have purchased large Vans, HVAC units, Roof Repairs, Computers, Gardens for Nevins and most recently extensive Renovations for Nevins “Building Stronger Program”.
Our St Anthony FESTA ITALIANA Charlotte has also been recognized as a worthy Sister Event by the Feast of all Feasts in Boston, MA: the St Anthony Feast celebrating a 100 year old Feast of all Feasts weekend tradition in Boston’s Italian Northend. That huge Charity Italian Festival in Boston’s Italian North End is the inspiration for our FESTA ITALIANA in Charlotte, through Dr. Voci’s Parents, Gene and Elizabeth; and Uncle and Aunt, Arthur and Pat Puopolo.
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vincent E Voci MD, Founder and Chairman
Jay Parillo, Treasurer
Perry Spinelli, Board Member
Phillip Gussman, Board Member
Brian Zito, Board Member
Vincent E. Voci, MD
Vincent E. Voci MD, a Plastic Surgeon in Charlotte, had a small private pilot St. Anthony Italian Festival in Charlotte in June of 2006 with about 40 friends and family attending at Camden Grandview, Uptown. They enjoyed entertainment, food and wine from 12 Italian / Mediterranean Restaurants and his Uncle Artie from Boston to raise money for charity. Dr. Voci chose Nevin’s Center for the Disabled The Nevins Center to benefit from the event. It was a big hit and resulted in the creation of the St Anthony Foundation of Charlotte and a committee of 25 people interested in growing the event for the future to raise money for charity to help people who cannot help themselves. St Anthony Foundation of Charlotte has since donated almost over $300,000 to local charities! The event is now called St Anthony FESTA ITALIANA Charlotte and is in its 18th year. The Foundation has attracted national sponsors for its FESTA and Tuscany Weekend and guest Executive Chefs from Italy as it continues to grow promoting charity and helping people with disabilities live life with quality and dignity. FESTA ITALIANA Charlotte expects to attract well over 600 people by again this year presenting Charlotte with Italian Culture, the Best Italian Food, Spirits, Music, and Italian Businesses. This year the Festa will benefit even more special needs individuals in our community!
NEVINS CENTER
Nevins Center www.nevinsinc.org has now received over $100 thousand dollars from our Foundation’s events. Nevins trains disabled people for the workplace and have been for over 64 years in Charlotte. They have a budget of over 3 million dollars per year helping many mentally and physically challenged people support and house themselves, feel a life of fulfillment and pride. NEVINS has placed workers in many of the area’s local businesses like Harris Teeter and Carolinas Medical Center. On any day you will find 65-85 NEVINS’ Participants at the Center receiving training, encouragement, praise, skills, happiness, and respect. Funding is always difficult, however, especially in today’s difficult economic environment of grant and government program funding cuts…….we can help. Visit NEVINS and see for yourself how these people so deeply appreciate NEVINS. A tear will come to your eye knowing how happy NEVINS makes these people feel. Some Participants refer to NEVINS, as their College. That is how much they respect what Nevins does for them. Go see for yourself.
If you need any additional information, visit the St. Anthony Foundation of Charlotte website, or please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Voci or any of the Board Members of the Foundation. You may call or email the Foundation directly through Dr. Voci: 704-560-3030 or vvoci@vocicenter.com or info@festaitalianacharlotte.org
Contact:
St. Anthony Foundation of Charlotte
c/o VociCenter
2620 East 7th Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
info@festaitalianacharlotte.org
CHAIRMAN
Vincent E. Voci MD,
VociCenter Plastic Surgery,
office: 704-333-8300,
cell: 704-560-3030
fax: 704-375-7331
email:vvoci@vocicenter.com