In New York, solidarity can take unexpected forms. Last Sunday, as snow blanketed the docks and the wind from the East River reminded everyone that winter was in full swing, the “Christmas Charity Lunch” promoted by the Grow Together Foundation was held in a spectacular and unusual setting: the MSC Meraviglia, moored at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
It was here that the Grow Together Foundation organized its first event, bringing together the Italian community, faith, social commitment, and hope in the spirit of Christmas.
The Foundation, led by Don Luigi Portarulo, has Catholic roots but an open and inclusive outlook, aimed at the whole community.
The goal is ambitious but concrete: to build a network of educational, sporting, and social projects in New York capable of offering real opportunities to children, young people, and families in need, strengthening their sense of belonging and the common good.
The choice of the ship transformed the traditional charity lunch into a sort of public debut, openly presented as the Foundation’s first major event in New York, which aims to take root in the Italian community and beyond, intertwining social commitment, spiritual values, and a presence in the area.
The Grow Together Foundation is headed by Don Luigi Portarulo, a well-known figure within the local community.
“I am really happy… and deeply moved to see so many people, despite the bad weather
,” he began from the circular stage set up for the occasion. The priest recalled that the Foundation has its roots in the Catholic experience, but wants to present itself as an inclusive reality, dedicated to the development of educational, cultural, sporting, and social opportunities for children, young people, and families.
At his side was a special guest from Rome, actress Alessandra Mastronardi, who chose a spontaneous tone that resonated with the audience. She thanked those present “for being here to support a good cause,” joking about Don Luigi’s energy (“it’s impossible to say no to him”) and emphasizing the theme that ran through the entire event: the value of time.
“Time is perhaps the most precious gift we can offer,” she said, reminding us that quality, rather than quantity, makes the difference, especially with children, “who are our future.”
Among the speakers was the Consul General of Italy in New York, Fabrizio Di Michele, who greeted the audience on the eve of an important transition: “In a week’s time, I will be finishing my term of office and returning to Rome,” he recalled.
He thanked Don Luigi for the opportunity to reconnect with people and faces he had met over the years and, with affectionate irony, described the priest’s tirelessness (“I don’t know what pact he made with the Lord, but he manages to be everywhere”). He then summarized the Foundation’s identity in three words: “faith, community, and people.”
The Grow Together Foundation illustrated its mission through four main areas: charitable initiatives, cultural programs, educational courses, and sporting activities. Charity is interpreted as sharing what one has received; culture as a space for encounter and beauty; education as continuous training, not only for young people but also for adults; sport as a tool for bringing people together and promoting growth.
During the day, the idea of having a physical place that brings the community together around a common project also came up. Luca Lupi, vice president and co-founder, together with chairman Diego Rodinò di Miglione, announced the goal for 2026: to open a space in Manhattan, preferably on the Upper East Side, dedicated to sports programs and, possibly, musical and theatrical activities open to children and adults.
Several projects have already been launched during the year: language courses (Italian and English), activities for children, volunteer initiatives, and a summer day camp. The fundamental contribution of volunteers was repeatedly emphasized: Elena, Diego’s wife, holds evening classes every week; others took care of organizing the event, from invitations to the silent auction. A recurring message from the stage invited people to participate not only with donations but also with their skills:
“If anyone has a professional skill… human resources, experience in a specific sector… we can create meetings, offer tools, give something back to the city.”
The moment most eagerly awaited by the audience was the speech by Giuseppe “Pepito” Rossi, a former striker who grew up in the United States and Italy, with a past in teams such as Manchester United and Fiorentina. Taking the stage with his mother, he recounted his journey: born in New Jersey, he moved to Parma at the age of 12 to pursue his dream of playing soccer. The children’s questions turned his speech into a mini-lesson on sports and life: the role of family, discipline, resilience after injuries, the ability to draw strength even from defeat.
When asked what he missed about Italy, he made the whole audience smile with his answer: “Pasta.” And to those who have not yet decided what they want to do when they grow up, he said that even he, at the age of 12, did not have a clear idea: the turning point came when he had the opportunity to train alongside the first-team players and realized that he could really build that future for himself.
The event ended with a charity auction conducted by the brilliant Patrizia Di Carrobio. Among the most sought-after items were Rossi’s blue jersey with the number 22 (sold for $1,600), a seven-day MSC cruise departing from Miami (sold for $3,000), a Dolce & Gabbana “Amore” bag that went for over $2,500, a Piaggio Liberty 150 that fetched just under $3,000, stays in a villa in Modica that went for over $4,000, and a Balthazar-sized bottle of San Leonardo 2020, which was greeted with a joke from the stage for “those with strong arms.” After the auction, the final appeal: donations by a show of hands to support next year’s activities.
Don Luigi closed the day with a blessing and thanks to MSC, the captain of the ship, and the Aponte family for their hospitality. Then the room was transformed into a convivial moment of lunch, photographs, and farewells. Leaving the Meraviglia, the feeling was that the Grow Together Foundation wanted to inaugurate a Christmas of solidarity that would not remain an isolated episode, but the prelude to a permanent presence in New York. And, as was mentioned several times during the event, the project does not only require financial resources: above all, it requires time, commitment, and community.
Values that, in a city where everything moves fast, take on even greater significance.
