From the Hill – dispatch from John A. Cianci as Columbus Day Festival continues…

October 13, 2024/John Cianci

The streets were packed in the early morning Saturday for Opening Ceremony for 39th Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival.

The Opening Ceremony started with 11-year old Liliana Iavarone singing the Star Spangled Banner. Chills ran through the crowd as this young girl sang. Veterans in the crowd stood at attention with their hands over their hearts or saluting. Liliana concluded the song and thanked the crowd for the robust clapping as she concluded. She told the crowd of her family history. Her grandfather was a WWII Veteran and grew up and lived in Federal Hill. Her grandmother, Tami Iavarone, was a Navy Veteran. She told the crowd how she loves the Veterans and volunteers with the Italian American War Veterans of US at nursing home visiting Veterans.

She urged the crowd to join her in her efforts to bring joy and improving the lifestyle of our Veterans living at long term care facilities and the Rhode Island Veterans Home buy going to her Amazon Wish Liliana Leave No Veterans Alone on Christmas page. Items on the Wish List are items to improve the Veterans quality of life.

For example, Clappers to turn on their lights from their beds. Firesticks to expand basic cable service. Batteries for their remote. TVs with ROKU included. Most Veterans living at these facilities are left with 75 dollars a month after paying for their care. Buying little items like the aforementioned wipes out their monthly money. She encouraged people who want to help to do actions like this or make a donation directly by mailing a check to ITAM, 18 Winchester Ave. North Smithfield, RI, 02896. Donations are IRS tax deductible.

To go to Liliana’s Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1NP4LQO2F7O44?ref=gr_search_page_result

Or scan the QR code with your phone to go right to the Amazon page: