Our Mission:
To
raise funds, using the enthusiasm of Formula 1 and Ferrari
fans, to assist the most needy organizations in our communities and
to help medical research centers in their endeavors to find a cure.
Our Goal:
To assist those registered charities and non-profit organizations
that are not supported by any government or other foundations funding
and which have very low administrative expenses.
Our Dream:
To encompass the world and create a Friends of Ferrari program in
every nation with the help of the millions of Formula 1 racing fans
and the racing circuit family.
Our History:
While watching a Formula 1 Grand
Prix Championship race in October 2001, Franco Corona, founder and
President of the Friends of Ferrari decided to
use the enthusiasm of Ferrari fans to raise money for a variety
of charities.
Since
then the Friends of Ferrari have held many fundraising
events such as Mini-Grand Prix where children, aged 3 to 5 years,
dressed in full racing colours of Team Ferrari drove the Ferrari
Electric Racers. Seven of the cars were raffled off each year over
the course of the Grand Prix season which runs from March through
October. In addition Gala Luncheons were held at the end of each
racing season. In 2003 some of the special guests who attended the
luncheon were: Miss Perdita Felicien, World Champion; Mr.
Mark McKoy, Olympic Champion; Mr. Andy Bathgate, Stanley Cup Champion.
In
November 2003 Mr. Corona and a delegation of the Friends
of Ferrari visited the Centro Dino Ferrari in Milan, Italy
to present a donation in the amount of $43,000.00. The clinic, founded
by Enzo Ferrari is one of the most important research centers in
the world for the many diseases known under the name Muscular Dystrophy.
The Friends of Ferrari has also generously supported
the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada since 2002. Following
the visit to the clinic the Friends of Ferrari
delegation was invited for an official visit. to the Ferrari S.p.A.
production facility and headquarters in Maranello, Italy
Many
articles about the activities of the Friends of Ferrari
have appeared in the Globe & Mail, The Vaughan Citizen, The
Corriere Canadese, Lo Specchio, Vancouver View Magazine and Marco
Polo News.
The fundraising efforts of the Friends
of Ferrari have been acknowledged by many local, national
and international leaders including: President George W. Bush, Prime
Minister Jean Chretien and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Mr. Piero
Ferrari son of Enzo Ferrari and Professor Nereo Bresolin Director
of the Centro Dino Ferrari have also given their kind support to
the Friends of Ferrari.
Friends of
Ferrari raises funds for registered charitable and/or non-profit
organizations. Donors receive official tax receipts for 100% of
the donation. Friends of Ferrari has no employees only volunteers.
In
2004 a Very Special Event of was held on June 6 and 7,
Jarno Trulli Formula 1 driver joined us in Toronto for a great weekend.
The first event was the Grand Prix of Newmarket. Hundreds
of fans attended and Jarno was our official race starter.
A private fund raising dinner was held on the Sunday evening and
on Monday evening an Evening with Jarno Trulli was held. Over
400 fans attended and enjoyed a great dinner and wine from Jarno's
vineyard, Podere Castorani.
On Tuesday
a private luncheon was held prior to Jarno leaving for the Montreal
Formula 1 Grand Prix on June 13, 2004..
In
2005 we moved to Vancouver and began our efforts in British
Columbia. Wehave donated funds raised to the War Amps Champs
Program and NAFTRA.
Our next
donations will be to the Boys' and Girls Clubs of Vancouver and
National Service Dogs. Thanks to all of our volunteers who
work so hard to make each event a success. Thanks to all of
the generous people who contribute to each event with time, goods
and funds.
As
of May 28, 2006 we have raised and donated $550,000.00 to a variety
of charities.
On September 24,
2006 we completed the racing season with the 5th race, the Grand
Prix of Canada. This was a great season with sunny skies for
every race. All of the children who participated had a super
time and we have received many letters of thanks from their parents.
The children are helping us raise money to help others and without
them we could not meet our goals. Thanks to our very generous
sponsors. Thanks to our volunteers.
The last event
for 2006 will be a Gala Luncheon on October 22.
For the Spirit of Racing. For the
Spirit of Our Children. For the Spirit of Charity. |