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Baldissoni: Festa della Famiglia will show solidarity with earthquake sufferers

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Mauro Baldissoni has highlighted the importance of the Festa della Famiglia on 3 September, in an interview with Roma Radio on Wednesday.

The AS Roma general manager pointed to the importance of family, as well as showing solidarity for those affected by the recent earthquake in central Italy, at the event this weekend - which concludes with a friendly against San Lorenzo at the Stadio Olimpico.

"What's crucial about the Festa della Famiglia - besides the essential donations - are the powerful concepts of sharing and participation," Baldissoni said.

"The message we have to convey to those affected by the tragedy is that we're all in it together - one big, loving extended family, the human race. You can start again even after being hit by a tragic events like these."

The club's general manager then recalled the origins of the Festa della Famiglia and how it has encompassed the earthquake relief effort following the devastating events of 24 August: "When we came up with the idea of this match a few months ago, we thought about a day of fun - a new stadium experience especially for families and kids.

"Lots of exciting events are planned around the stadium. There will be entertaining sporting events where parents can take on their kids, like when we were at school and used to take part in the sack race, as well as other games.

"The day was created to highlight the sort of behaviour we wish to see at the stadium - fun for children and families. It was subsequently backed by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization to stress the importance of family. When the tragedy occurred in central Italy, as president [Jim] Pallotta explained in his statement, we weren't sure whether to go ahead with the match or postpone it. Ultimately, we decided to marry the concept of family values with solidarity, at a time when the victims of the earthquake had seen their lives turned upside down.

"The earthquake struck overnight when they were all at home. Those involved lost their families. That's why we thought it appropriate to combine the tight-knit togetherness you find within a family and this extended sense of solidarity for those who have lost their family and need to feel not only financial but also emotional support."

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Baldissoni then highlighted the importance of donations and how this has involved everyone at Roma: "You can give in many different ways, obviously we're doing that, and it's down to all of us. Clearly, we've made donations here at Roma, just as the players have ever since the tragedy occurred.

"Whatever we raise will be added to the proceeds from the Festa della Famiglia."

Finally, the general manager explained that the essence of the Festa della Famiglia is in line with other past initiatives embraced by the club and president Jim Pallotta, hence why it makes sense to relaunch the Football Cares platform for the occasion: "You will recall that in 2015, upon request of president Pallotta, during the height of the refugee crisis, Roma created Football Cares, which created a link to the game.

"We wanted to give it a neutral name to allow everyone the chance to take part, to encourage donations but also auction everyday footballing items like shirts and boots. It symbolised participation as well giving us the chance to raise funds. We have decided to relaunch the platform which has been online since the day of the tragedy.

"Obviously it's now up and running to raise money for the relief effort and to auction items, which are coming in from other Italian football clubs, in order to foster the involvement of fans and everyone from the world of football."

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