2024 Xmas Match: the handover ceremony and the philanthropic contribution
Rendezvousing at the Gewiss Stadium for a momentous occasion
Semplicity has always been a hallmark of the Christmas Match shirt handover: a cherished tradition, the event celebrated the noble contrinution of the auction winners. And it’s perhaps this very simplicity that makes the occasion truly one-of-a-kind.
However and as always, the event transcended the mere delivery of shirts, it was first and foremost about giving back to the community. The €54,830 raised on behalf of the Fondo Atalanta (Atalanta trust fund) established at the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca Onlus (Bergamo Community Foundation) have been devolved to charity in their entirety to the Associazione Amici della Pediatria onlus, which has been supporting the Bergamo hospital since 1990 (now ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII), to create a waiting room named 'Wait & Play' on Hospital Street for all the children who come to the paediatric outpatients' department for treatment, examinations and follow-ups. The waiting time is used to play, which is the child's "work" to grow. The activities offered can be carried out independently, without the presence of professionals or volunteers, experimenting with their own skills and challenging the children present to foster relationships and sociality. Experiencing the hospital by encouraging play highlights the importance of play in a child's life.
The event was graced by the presence of President Antonio Percassi; Milena Lazzaroni, President of the "Amici della Pediatria ETS-ODV" charity; Francesco Locati, General Director of ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII; Lorenzo D'Antiga, Director of Pediatric Departments at ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII; Fabio Pezzoli, Scientific Consultant for the "Amici della Pediatria ETS ODV" charity; Federica Bruletti, General Secretary of the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca onlus; Andrea Fabris, Corporate General Director of Atalanta; Romano Zanforlin, Commercial & Marketing Director of Atalanta.
By its essence, the evening's highlight was the presence of the winners of the 2024 Xmas Match Auction, who had the unique opportunity to take photos, capture selfies and receive an autograph from first-team player Matteo Ruggeri, whose presence provided a fitting conclusion to the 14th edition of this heartening initiative.
The success of the auction was made possible through the invaluable collaboration with the "TuttoAtalanta" TV show airing on Bergamo TV. We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to host Matteo De Sanctis, the production team and the television network altogether.
We would also like to convey our sincerest appreciation to all those who participated on the auction, whether by securing a shirt or by contributing their bids, whereby supporting the success of the project.