The event ended in the last few days 31st Unitalsi regional campwhich also took place this year at the Riviera Calabra village in Zambrone (VV) from 7 to 14 September. A week expertly organised by Pier Paolo Lioneregional councilor of the same association, supported by elements from all over the region, such as the case of the kitchen staff led by the chef from Cotronei Charles Garofalo (president of the Crotone subsection). A week that despite the not particularly favorable weather, saw the presence of over 100 people, including volunteers and “special friends”, coming from different parts of our region: Vibo Valentia, Cosenza, Crotone, Cotronei, Palmi, Trebisacce, Lamezia Terme, Reggio Calabria, Amantea and Soverato.
The program was the one that has distinguished this magnificent event for 31 years now, allowing less fortunate people to experience a week of pure vacation, made up of sea, sun, fun and many moments of joy and sociality, without neglecting the spiritual part, the core of this association that for over 120 years has been involved at a national level in organizing pilgrimages to Lourdes, with the so-called “White Train”, and other international Sanctuaries.
Among the various activities carried out in this field, a particularly exciting one was the procession of the Flambeauxa reproduction of the famous torchlight procession that takes place every evening at the sanctuary of Lourdes, led on this occasion by Don Pasquale DiCelloa priest from Lamezia Terme who is very close to the association. During this procession, many friends carried in their arms a reproduction of the statue of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, purchased by the Vibo Valentia subsection during one of the many pilgrimages to France. Another intense moment was experienced with the mass celebrated by the regional spiritual assistant Don Giovanni Battista Tillieciin the presence of the regional president of Unitalsi Vincenzo Trapani Lombard.
As we were saying, there was not only the spiritual part, but also and above all the fun and social part, which events like the regional camp can offer. In the various evenings after dinner, different artists and friends entertained everyone present with songs and dances, starting with Stefano Scrugli, passing through Nico Iuzzolini, the friends of the penitentiary police of Vibo Valentia, led by the captain Domenico Montauroending with the Vibonese musical group “Eufrasia”. All events at the end of days that, despite the not so favorable weather, followed one another between the sea, the pool, succulent lunches and dinners.
The camp manager, Pierpaolo Lione, was satisfied again this year: “It was an intense week as always and we are very happy to have spent these seven days with joy and happiness together with our brothers and sisters. Of course, the bad weather did not help us for the sea and the pool, but we still managed to spend unique moments that an environment like ours can give. We thank once again the owners of this village – continues Lione – who have hosted us regularly for 19 years and are now part of our family. We always think that we can improve, but in the knowledge that we all give our best and even more to be able to live this week to the fullest”.