A dream come true, thanks to the commitment of the municipality, the church, and Adventist institutions.
On September 16, a fully equipped medical ambulance was handed over to the Monte Stella Civil Protection in Assoro (EN), ready to serve the local community and its surroundings. This initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the municipality, the Adventist Church with its 8x1000 contributions, ADRA Italy (5x1000), the Waldfriede German Adventist Hospital in Berlin, a local bank, and a small private contribution from the Mazza family. “A modern ambulance, tailored to current needs, is vital for a region that must address various daily and emergency requirements,” affirmed Dag K. Pontvik, director of ADRA Italy.
A role significant to the completion of this project was played by Andreas Mazza, news editor and public affairs assistant for the Inter-European Region (EUD) of the Adventist Church.
The Birth of the Project
The initiative began two years ago during the ceremony that named the Assoro Civil Protection headquarters in honor of the late Pastor Vincenzo Mazza, Andreas' father, who passed away on July 5, 2023. This tribute was a heartfelt acknowledgment of his tireless dedication.
A man of profound faith, Pastor Mazza nurtured his beliefs since childhood and served as president of the Italian Union of Seventh-day Adventist Churches (UICCA) from 1995 to 2000. Born in Assoro, he devoted part of his life to the noble goal of providing an ambulance for the citizens of Assoro. In 1997, with funds from the Adventist Church's 8x1000 program and contributions from ADRA, that dream became a reality.
Many years have passed since then, and a more modern vehicle became necessary to meet the needs of a growing population.
“During the naming ceremony in August 2023,” explained Andreas Mazza, “the president of Civil Protection, Marco Ragusa, along with Daniele Mazza, my cousin and the nephew of Pastor Vincenzo Mazza, asked if I could assist them in fundraising for a new ambulance, 26 years after the purchase of the old one. Driven by the desire to honor my father's legacy, I eagerly accepted. Thus began a journey filled with challenges, where I devoted myself wholeheartedly to fundraising, engaging several Adventist institutions and a passionate group of individuals. After two years of commitment and determination, our mission was fulfilled.”
Now that the ambulance has been delivered, the sense of accomplishment is immense. “We are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute, as ADRA, to this initiative, thanks to the support of the Adventist 8x1000,” stated D. Pontvik. Echoing this sentiment, A. Mazza remarked, “It is with immense pride that I collaborated on this project, feeling part of a great team effort. For years to come, this ambulance will traverse the roads of Sicily, saving lives and providing assistance wherever it is needed.”
“Praise the Lord for the strength and courage He has given us to complete this important project, a dream that continues to live in the hearts of us all,” he concluded.
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