Endless queues at the Sand Crib, the threshold of 80,000 visitors exceeded and an important fundraiser.
The Jesolo Sand Nativity confirms its attractiveness also in the new year. A few hours after the celebrations for the arrival of 2023, many people reached Jesolo and lined up in front of the entrance to its famous sand nativity scene. In the first four days of the new year there were 24,235 people who crossed the entrance to the marquee it houses, with a peak of 6,621 visitors on Wednesday 4 January. Currently, the exhibition on the "Sculptures of Peace" has been visited by 80,844 people against the 44,934 registered in this same period of time since the previous edition and the 67,037 of the previous year.
There have been many visitors who so far have wanted to contribute with a donation to support the numerous charitable projects identified by the municipal administration, or do the same by purchasing a souvenir of the exhibition to take home or give as a gift. From the day of the inauguration to December 29, the latest data currently available, fundraising exceeded the threshold of 29 thousand euros, almost equally distributed between merchandise sales and free offers. In 2021, these days, the sand nativity scene had raised around 20 thousand euros while the previous edition just over 16,700 euros.
The municipal administration has identified the beneficiaries of the funds raised through the donations of visitors to the Jesolo Sand Nativity, which since 2004 has helped the realization of 24 projects in 17 countries, for a value of almost 1 million euros donated. This year the funds will be used to support one project in Ukraine, one in Colombia, three in Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Kenya as well as the activity of the Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV) and 4 local associations .
– Kiev Diocese: support for the reconstruction of two two-story buildings for families displaced by the war. These two houses will be able to accommodate between 8 and 10 families. At the moment the roof is being rebuilt, subsequently internal reconstruction and furnishing works will take place.
– No indifference onlus: support for the creation of a shelter in the district of Barraquilla, Colombia, for children aged 4 to 15 who are victims of violence and mistreatment. The current building houses 140 children mostly from Venezuela. On 19 April 2022, the first floor was made accessible and operational with a canteen, multiple space, services, a small chapel, a kitchen, a room for manual activities and toilets. The grant intends to start the construction of the second floor where there will be classrooms and dormitories for the children.
– Bedanda onlus missionary group: the Bedanda onlus association has been working for many years in support of the populations in Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone. The project in question involves the purchase of a 13 KWA generator to supply electricity to schools, the regional hospital and other facilities in the city of Bafatà, the second largest in Guinea Bissau. The grant will also be used to purchase a boat to facilitate the sea-to-land transport of goods cleared for Sierra Leone.
– Mother Teresa medical association onlus: the project involves the construction of a building with a room used as a classroom for support activities for women and the design of school furnishings in the village of Nzile, in the Central African Republic. This is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world and is often the victim of socio-political crises that put women above all to the test, often marginalized and excluded from the school and social system.
– St. John the Baptist Parish: construction of 4 classrooms in the "Tumaini Academy" parish school of the Venetian mission of Ol Moran, Kenya. The current school complex has the presence of 305 pupils divided into 8 masonry classrooms for the primary classes, another 8 classrooms but in semi-permanent structures for childhood and supplementary activities. The contribution will be used to expand the structure with classrooms for secondary classes.
– Veneto Oncological Institute: the IOV is committed to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tumors, pursuing excellence in these fields through the development of basic oncological research. All research projects are very expensive, which is why the institute makes use of co-financing sources that contribute to the overall cost of the research protocols.
– Hospital Volunteer Association (AVO): support for the "Pajama Closet" project, launched by the association. It is a sort of disposable kit for indigent patients with basic necessities such as toothbrush, toothpaste, underwear, towel, t-shirt, socks, slippers, pajamas/overalls to be used during hospital stay.
– Donna 2000 Forza Rosa voluntary group: support for the "Wellness Horizons" project in which the association carries out various initiatives for the promotion and prevention of breast cancer.
– LILT: support for the "Pulmino amico" project, a free transport service for cancer patients who have to go to the various hospital facilities for visits or therapies. The service is carried out by the local section of the association, serving the territories of Jesolo, Eraclea and Cavallino Treporti. It involves 10 volunteers who take turns to transport patients on 4 vehicles available.
– Telethon: the city of Jesolo has been supporting research into rare genetic diseases since 2010, and the Telethon foundation has been involved in supporting research in this area for about 30 years.
“We are really happy to have managed to give the city a tool capable of attracting tens of thousands of people during the Christmas holidays again this year. The quality of the works, the new location and the decision to dedicate this edition to peace, together with the visit of the bishop of Kiev, have contributed to the success that the event has been recording in recent weeks - declared the mayor of the City of Jesolo, Christofer De Zotti, and the Councillor for Tourism, Alberto Maschio -. Many people work every year for the success of the Jesolo Sand Nativity, and many others donate their time as volunteers so that the event can be enjoyed in the best possible way. It is an important contribution, like the one paid by many visitors and which will help us to support various projects. Our idea is that even a small contribution, especially for those who carry out simple but essential daily services, can be of great help".
