€932,837 raised during this year’s Feast of Generosity

€932,837 were raised during this year’s Feast of Generosity organised by RTK4Charity in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi. In spite of the uncertainty in the weather especially in the morning, huge crowds filled the big tent in the parking lot of the Home.

The Director, Fr Martin Micallef, thanked the civil and political authorities for their support as well as all those hundreds of volunteers that took part in the organisation of the Feast of Generosity, this being the eighteenth year, but most of all the Maltese people who once again showed their solidarity and generosity with the Dar tal-Providenza. Various parishes made special collections with the Zurrieq parish topping the bill with €10,450.

During the day there were visits by the President of Malta, Dr George Abela; the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat accompanied by the Minister of Health Dr Godfrey Farrugia; the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Simon Busuttil; the Archbishop, Mgr. Pawl Cremona OP; the Auxiliary Bishop Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna and the Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. The Archbishop Emeritus, Mgr. Guzeppi Mercieca was indisposed whilst the Bishop of Gozo Mgr Mario Grech sent a recorded video message. Members of Parliament from both sides of the House also made it to Siggiewi during the day.

As part of the Feast of Generosity, €24,000 were raised through an auction of various works of art donated by more than sixty local artists. Various bids were placed online but most bidders were there personally to follow the process.

The live television broadcast started at 9.00am with Holy Mass from the chapel of the Home and continued till just after midnight when the total sum collected during the day was announced amidst the joy and celebrations of the organisers and volunteers. PBS, ONE TV and NET TV took part for long stretches of the 15-hour televised marathon which included entertainment provided by the top singers on the island, various entertainers and village bands that managed to create a festive family atmosphere.