The 2021 AILO Bazaar & Holiday Benefit Fairs
AILO Mini Christmas Bazaar
Just in time for holiday gift shopping, the American International League of Florence (AILO) is holding a Mini Christmas Bazaar to benefit local charities at the Sala ex Leopoldine, Piazza Tasso 7 from December 4 to 6.
On display and for sale will be a fine selection of women’s clothing including several designer brands; accessories; books (in English and Italian); crafts, Christmas decorations; household goods; costume jewellery and more, all donated to the organization. The mini Christmas Bazaar will be accessible from 1 to 7 pm on December 4, 9 am to 7 pm on December 5 and from 9 am to 1 pm on December 6.
“The 44th edition of Bazaar has a non-standard arrangement due to COVID,” said AILO president Kimberly Breeze. The venue has a capacity limit of 40 people, which will be monitored along with each guest’s temperature and Green Pass.
In the spirit of giving, the money raised will go to support projects and purchase items which help those in need. Under current consideration are Associazione Pantagruel, which seeks to help women inmates in Florence’s Solliciano Prison; Associazione Crescere Insieme, which aids mentally disabled adults; Associazione per leucemie, which funds leukemia research; and for work and maintence at historic the Church of San Felice, in addition to others.
Founded in 1975, AILO is a non-profit association with the mission to support charitable organizations specialized in assistance in Florence and its province. A club committee researches and visits each applicant, with recipients of the Christmas Bazaar proceeds selected by the membership. Over the years AILO has funded projects by charities such as Noi per Voi per il Meyer, Artemisia, the Banco Alimentare, Angeli della Città, Ronda della Carità, Ragazzi del Sipario and others which care for the sick, needy, children, the mentally challenged and women in need.
For details on the AILO and the group’s past contributions to the city, visit the website.
For more information on the AILO mini Christmas Bazaar, contact Kimberly Breeze, tel. 338 3315862.
BRITISH INSTITUTE Christmas Fair
Home to the largest English library in continental Europe, the British Institute of Florence is hosting a market on Friday, December 10 from 3 to 6 pm that sells books, handmade goods and vouchers for the library itself. A raffle will also be held that gives visitors a chance to win prizes such as wine and handmade crafts, with tickets costing €1 for a single or €5 for a bundle of six.
ST. JAMES Holiday Bake Sale
The weekend following the AILO Christmas Bazaar, St. James Episcopal Church (via Rucellai 9) is holding a holiday bake sale with many staple American treats. The event will take place after their 11 am service on December 12, where donated desserts can be bought and packaged for each guest. These include chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, yogurt cookies, mini brownies and date nut bread and many more delectable desserts.
Natale per FILE Holiday Fair
The 18th edition of the “Nataleperfile” Holiday Fair is opening to help raise funds for the Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia (FILE), which seeks to aid terminally ill patients in both the Florence and Prato areas. In 2019, when the last charity market was held, FILE raised 100,000 euro for Cure Palliative which helped patients in the advanced stages of their condition. After a year of delay due to COVID, the initiative to help those in need continues to bring more cheer in the winter season.
The market can be found in Palazzo Corsini from December 9 – 12 with free admission and offers clothing, fragrances and cosmetics, household linens, modern art, and more, along with the staple Italian Christmas bread panettone and the sugar covered pandoro. There will also be a section called the “100% FILE” spaces, where vintage clothes and a corner dedicated to food and wine can be found. A raffle, called the “Lotteriaperfile,” will also give guests a chance to some gifts. The event’s online shop has pandoro, panettone and costume jewelry delivered in large gift boxes suited for the Christmas season. Visitors are welcome from 11 am to 7 pm.
CHILDREN’S LENDING LIBRARY Christmas Party
On December 11, from 4 to 6 pm, the Children’s Lending Library will be holding a Christmas party in the undercroft of St. James Episcopal Church, via Rucellai 9.
Look forward to crafts, Christmas carols and as usual toys, books and dvds on sale. There’ll be a letter box for letters to Santa and a visit from Old Saint Nick himself! There will also be a lottery with lots of prizes for everyone.
The party is for members only but families can sign up at the door. Green Pass and masks are required.
The library will be open with book readings all through the party.
ATT Charity Fair
The Tuscan Tumor Association (ATT) is holding its annual Christmas charity market, where guests can find food, wine, handmade jewelry and more. The 2021 edition of this event is held in two separate locations — The first being Hotel Albani at Via Fiume 12, which will be accessible from 9:30 am to 7 pm on December 11 and 12. The second location is Officina Giovani in Prato, which will be open from 9 am to 8 pm on December 18 and 19. (rosanna cirigliano & nelson matos)
