Honors of merit, here are the 30 awarded by Mattarella

   The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, has conferred, motu proprio, thirty honors of Merit of the Italian Republic to citizens who have distinguished themselves for ethical entrepreneurship, for their commitment to prisoners, for solidarity, for the voluntary work, for activities in favor of social inclusion, legality, the right to health and for acts of heroism.

Among the many examples present in civil society and institutions, President Mattarella has identified some significant cases of civil commitment, dedication to the common good and testimony to republican values.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Palazzo del Quirinale on 24 March 2023 at 11.30.

    Here is the list and the reasons for the new ones awarded by the Head of State:

CATHERINE BELLANDI

, 57 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his generosity in giving serenity to sick children and their families, accompanying them free of charge in his taxi for treatment" After the untimely death of his comrade Stefano, a taxi driver, he began to drive his taxi transforming it in a short time from a service car into an "engine of love".

He carries out his work as a taxi driver with passion and dedicates part of the day to accompanying and distracting sick children who go to the Meyer hospital in Florence for treatment.

Known as Aunt Caterina, she has created a network of people who, through the "Milano 25" non-profit organization, collaborate with her in the various initiatives undertaken in favor of the sick (organization of birthday parties, meetings and events "

with his taxi Milan 25"). "Slowly a network of mothers has been created who pass the number, get in touch with me, but stay in touch with each other.

In moments of darkness, even a little light makes the difference".

, 61 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his constant commitment to accompanying young people in their studies through a network of volunteers made up of teachers, including retired ones, and young university students" Lecturer, founder and President of the Portofranco Association of Milan which helps high school students study and offers assistance in the recovery of educational debits and disciplinary knowledge.

Thanks to the contribution of three hundred adult volunteers and 200 young people, it provides tutoring and tuition to students every year.

The volunteer staff is made up of active or retired teachers and university students.

During the pandemic Portofranco closed for just one week and then organized itself with online lessons.

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56 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having changed his professional life and beyond, creating and dedicating himself to realities that welcome and assist children, young people and mothers in situations of serious difficulty" In the past Vice President and Director of the media section of Tiscali, today President and legal representative of the "Domus de luna" ONLUS Foundation, of the "Volontari della Luna" association and of the "Casa delle Stelle" social cooperative.

In 2005 he left his job and created the "Domus de Luna" non-profit foundation which welcomes and assists children, teenagers and mothers in situations of serious difficulty.

Four welcoming and care communities were opened (Domus de luna, Casa delle Stelle, Casa Cometa, Casa del Sole),

an outpatient clinic for interviews with the psychologist (the "Sa Domu est Pitticca, su Coru est Mannu" centre), a bed & breakfast with restaurant for the recovery and redemption of children and mothers (the Locanda dei Buoni e Cattivi), a restaurant with bar and pizzeria (the Circolo dei Buoni e Cattivi) and a center for recreational and expressive activities (the Exmè).

"We want to be environments where less fortunate children and teenagers can live better and face the present and the future with more serenity".

IMMACULATA CARPINIELLO

, 49 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her commitment to enhancing the work of inmates within prison by offering them an opportunity for redemption for a different life after detention" Legal representative and administrator of the "Lazzarelle" social cooperative.

    Cooperative of women only born in 2010, the Lazzarelle social cooperative produces artisan coffee according to the ancient Neapolitan tradition, inside the women's prison of Pozzuoli (NA).

    Caffè delle Lazzarelle was born by bringing together two weak subjects: women prisoners and coffee producers from the southern hemisphere.

"The basic idea of ​​the Lazzarelle is to invest human and economic resources in a training and production process. The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to foster relations with the outside world to avoid the risk of black hole detention; on the 'another thing to build a company capable of staying on the market with an artisanal product, ethical and linked to the territory".

There are many other projects: the "Bistrot Lazzarelle", in the Galleria Principe di Napoli, the "Tessuti dentro" tailor shop, and the "Pasticceria Lazzarelle";

and then research in synergy with the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli".

To date, 90% of the "

, 37 years old, and

52 years old, Knights of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having helped a little girl from Kosovo by activating a treatment path in Italy, guaranteeing its continuation also through support for the family" The police officer Fabio Cervellieri, on a mission to Pristina (Kosovo ) in 2021 he came across a 4-year-old girl with diabetes mellitus.

So he immediately bought insulin and a device to measure blood sugar.

Through the "Aquile tricolori" association, he got in touch with the Umberto I hospital in Rome to transfer the child to Italy, where she was treated and followed up.

Upon resignation, she was guaranteed a supply of insulin and a meter for one year.

Stefano Falchi carried out the child's aid intervention together with his colleague Cervellieri.

In particular, it promoted further fundraising in Sardinia, where it works, and obtained a free stay for the child and the family in a local tourist village.

The contact between the carabinieri and the girl, who has returned home, still continues.

, 21 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her commitment, passion, enthusiasm in making people aware of donating to the research and treatment of cystic fibrosis" Miriam suffers from cystic fibrosis.

In addition to receiving treatment and living with a serious disease, studying profitably in high school, despite continuous hospitalizations (156 days in 2016 alone), you passed the entrance test for Biotechnology at the University of Genoa with flying colors.

She finds the time to devote to fundraising on social media and in the various events for non-profit organizations linked to her illness, raising thousands of euros every year and often involving the schools she attended.

"When people ask me how I do it, I answer that it's simply passion that drives me to keep fighting.

Willpower, wanting is power, in short, let's call it whatever we like... that's all.

If I am who I am, it is mainly thanks to cystic fibrosis, which I consider to be my greatest added value".

    He devotes much of his life to raising funds for research.

He is Testimonial of the Italian Cystic Fibrosis League.

, 61 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her choice to commit herself to helping women prisoners to have a "second chance", through a training course necessary for their reintegration into the working society and civil" Founder of "Made in prison" Onlus.

President of the "Officina Creativa" association and social cooperative, director of the "2nd Chance" cooperative.

In the past a bank manager, you then decided to found "Made in prison" in order to spread the philosophy of the "second chance" for women prisoners and of the "

    The non-profit organization takes care of creating remunerated work within prisons by producing "differently (mind) useful" artifacts: bags, accessories, original and all coloured.

They are "useful and futile" products, made by women on the margins of society: prisoners, who are offered a training course, with the aim of a definitive reintegration into working and civil society.

They seek through the training of the prisoners to build, demonstrate and validate a new model of social economy of the circular type, therefore capable of self-sustaining in a regime of free competition while supporting the environment.

"Paid work reduces recidivism by about 70%. However, 80% of people who do not work still commit crimes".

, 50 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having promoted social solidarity initiatives, also through his public image, with economic aid projects and the availability of time for people in difficult situations" Actor.

Co-founder and president of the "Lab00 Onlus Committee" established in Milan in 2020 and which promotes social solidarity initiatives.

    The "Lab00 Onlus Committee" has given life to social solidarity initiatives, including the project of a "Spesasospesa".

The idea was born during a phone call received from a dear friend with whom he began to reflect on the situation of poverty in our country and decided to take action.

SpesaSospesa was thus born during the Covid emergency in conjunction with the first lock-down.

"We were scared and perhaps we all felt more responsible towards the community, more eager to find ourselves once we get out of the emergency, in a better world. We believe it was an opportunity to reflect on some things during this forced segregation".

Then the new TempoSospeso project was born.

org to offer health and welfare services to those who need them or are in a moment of discomfort.

A supportive network has been created which has made it possible to provide hundreds of free visits, especially in Lombardy, Lazio, Puglia and Umbria.

"We ask professionals and individual citizens to make their time available. In this way, for example, we have managed to guarantee medical visits to many people who are not financially able to go to professionals".

    They have also raised funds for refugees from Ukraine.

, 22 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her willingness to return the good received through her commitment to the UNICEF after-school care in Turin" University student.

You manage the UNICEF-YUNICEF after-school activities at the Casarcobaleno headquarters in Turin.

As a child she attended SERMIG which "turned her life upside down" and thus began her path of restitution by helping children and welcoming homeless women, teaching Italian to migrants.

, 34 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having transformed her painful experience into a generous commitment to spreading the culture of the Gift" Struck as a child by serious forms of leukemia, she underwent two bone marrow transplants 13 years, in 2000 and in 2013.

    His social commitment has become strong.

You dedicate your free time to meetings and conferences aimed at spreading the culture of the Gift especially among young people.

    She has written two books to tell her story and uses the proceeds from the sale to fund grants for biomedical research.

    The donor of the first transplant (2000) was the television presenter Fabrizio Frizzi.

, 32 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his decisive and courageous intervention in defense of a very young victim of bullying" Driver employed by ATAC in Rome.

While on duty he overheard some boys teasing a little boy with insults, giggles and shoves.

He then stopped the bus and, using the excuse of checking the rear door of the vehicle, left the driver's seat to approach the boys.

He then took him with him, close to the driver's seat, asking him to notify his parents and be found at the next bus stop.

, 61 years old and

, 52 years old, Officers of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having founded an association that brings together families and which offers services and workshops aimed at creating autonomy paths for children affected by pathologies on the autistic spectrum" Founders of the Association "Cascina San Vincenzo".

    Efrem is the President of the association;

Samantha is the Referral Parent and Activities Coordinator of the Autism Center.

    Efrem and Samantha, having received the diagnosis of autism for their son, not finding anyone able to show him "a way forward", decided with a group of families to offer and think about services, workshops, accompaniment paths towards autonomy of these children.

Having received a farmhouse (Cascina San Vincenzo) on loan from the local Caritas, they began to provide courses, workshops and in general paths that could accompany these young people towards autonomy.

, 73 years old, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having created a national network in favor of people suffering from mental health pathologies by offering them the opportunity for a path of reintegration into civil society" Legal representative of the " Fondazione Progetto Itaca", born in 1999, and of the "Progetto Itaca Lecce" Association, made up of 15 offices and 9 Itaca Clubs, spread throughout the national territory.

It has offices in Turin, Milan, Genoa, Padua, Rimini, Naples, Lecce, Lamezia Terme, Palermo.

The foundation has set up Itaca Clubs throughout the country where people being treated can meet to start a process of reintegration into civil society together.

It promotes projects of reception and listening, training,

of prevention and rehabilitation for people with mental health disorders and their families.

"We believe that mental health disorders are treatable conditions and that every person affected by them deserves timely help, correct diagnosis and effective treatment to lead a full and fulfilling life, free from stigma and prejudice."

Inspired by this certainty, the foundation sets itself the objectives of raising awareness in the community in order to overcome prejudices, train even the youngest in a correct, clear and exhaustive way regarding the onset of mental illnesses, encourage the path of diagnosis and treatment and offer listening, enhance skills and personal resources for social inclusion.

, 54 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her commitment to ensuring support and livelihoods for people and families in difficulty, including through training opportunities for young people" Co-founder and President of the Pudens Onlus Foundation of Turin.

The foundation, in close contact with the Diocesan Caritas, is committed every day to supporting needy families and people in difficulty.

Among the various activities: the distribution of hot meals in soup kitchens (14,000 a year), the establishment of scholarships to increase training opportunities for young people, convey social messages to enhance the city through street art.

"As long as poverty, injustice and inequality persist, none of us can truly rest";

"

    Act small". Funds are also raised through a project involving various street art artists.

, 34 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her commitment to addressing her disability through the sport and participating in meetings to find solutions to break down architectural barriers in municipal areas" Italian champion of para powerlifting (weight lifting).

    Roberta in August 2011, following a road accident, remains paraplegic. After a long stay in hospital and at specialized centres, she tries to understand what a disabled person in a wheelchair can do.She dedicates herself to dancing and "with her her wheelchair becomes music, art and an integral part of the choreography".

    He then tries his hand at another sport, "Para Powerlifting" (weight lifting) and in a short time manages to achieve remarkable results, achieving medals and prizes.

Alongside her sporting activity, Roberta organizes demonstration events in the squares ("A day in a wheelchair" or WE LIVE together - disability is not a world apart, but part of the world)." Free consultant

    of the Municipalities of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and of Terme Vigliatore (ME) for the removal of architectural barriers, her message is summed up in the motto "Everything is possible, you just need to want it"

, 24 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For her commitment to spreading messages in schools to guarantee road safety" Carlotta and her twin sister Costanza were 17 years old when the car they were traveling in ended up off the road.

Costanza lost her life in the accident.

Since that day, with his father Giorgio, he has been part of a team of witnesses from "Verona Strada Sicura" who disseminate road safety messages in schools in their area on a weekly basis, together with representatives of the police forces and family members of road victims.

"We explain the risks you run when driving by drinking an extra glass, when you're tired. We teach the need to always be awake".

, 56 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For the promotion of scientific research on cystic fibrosis through the financing of study projects and sports initiatives" Entrepreneur.

After the loss of his sister suffering from cystic fibrosis, on the initiative of a doctor he set up, in Verona, the Foundation for Research on Cystic Fibrosis Onlus which he presides today.

    Recognized as a promoter of scientific research on disease, the Foundation promotes, selects and finances study projects to improve the duration and quality of life of patients.

It makes use of a network of about 1,000 researchers and of the Italian regions, with 10,000 volunteers who raise funds and provide information on the disease.

In 2012 he created the FFC Bike Tour, covering a large part of Italy by bicycle, involving sports friends and champions to raise public awareness in the commitment to raise funds and spread awareness of that disease.

MARIA MASTROIACOVO

, 54 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his commitment to social inclusion through correct information to families with disabled people and the educational and professional integration of the latter" President of the SB " Cielo e terra" of Trivento (CB), founded the association, made up mostly of family members of disabled people, in 2009 and in 2011 inaugurated the day center "Raggio di luce".

The voluntary organization "Cielo e Terra" aims to work in favor of disabled people and their families through updated information on the different types of handicaps, a contribution to the inclusion and

school, work and social integration of people with disabilities and interventions in the work of prevention of social discomfort.

The "Raggio di luce" Socio-Educational Center operates in the Municipality of Trivento, in an area totally devoid of socio-educational structures, and with a poor culture towards social unease;

is a socio-educational structure aimed at users with physical/psychic and relational disabilities.

MIRNA BRUNA MASTRONARDI

, 50 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having undertaken voluntary work aimed at supporting cancer patients, guaranteeing them the right to the necessary treatments" Founder and Vice President of the "AGATA - Volunteers against cancer ODV" association ETS" ONLUS of Pisticci.

Mirna decided to set up the association after discovering she was suffering from cancer and having been helped along this path by the smile of her daughter.

"Agata was born so that no one feels alone".

After activating a telephone line to which family members of cancer patients can contact for help or simple information, even anonymously, the association presented itself to the institutions,

looking for a useful comparison that would put the sick at the center and meet their needs.

A first important milestone achieved was obtaining from ASM Matera priority access to blood samples for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Thanks to an important fundraising campaign, the association has purchased a means of transport by which cancer patients are accompanied, completely free of charge, to undergo chemotherapy treatments.

In May 2022 she was elected to the new 2022-2026 Executive Committee of FAVO, the National Federation of Voluntary Oncology Associations.

priority access to blood samples for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Thanks to an important fundraising campaign, the association has purchased a means of transport by which cancer patients are accompanied, completely free of charge, to undergo chemotherapy treatments.

In May 2022 she was elected to the new 2022-2026 Executive Committee of FAVO, the National Federation of Voluntary Oncology Associations.

priority access to blood samples for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Thanks to an important fundraising campaign, the association has purchased a means of transport by which cancer patients are accompanied, completely free of charge, to undergo chemotherapy treatments.

In May 2022 she was elected to the new 2022-2026 Executive Committee of FAVO, the National Federation of Voluntary Oncology Associations.

FRANCESCA MOSCARDO

, 35 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For the enthusiasm and irony with which he tackles issues related to his disability by offering useful advice for daily life" Blogger, copywriter and social media manager.

"A star as small as the Earth, but as heavy as the Sun: this is a white dwarf."

She faces his genetic disease, diastrophic dysplasia, characterized by a growth defect of the cartilage that leads to short stature.

"My condition greatly improves problem solving; I'm used to having everything under control. Whatever I have to do, I organize it well in advance. I thought that telling how I manage in certain situations could be of help to others".

So in 2017 the blog was born "

 ANDREA OCCHIONEGRO

, 52 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his contribution in organizing solidarity initiatives to reduce social unease thanks to a widespread network and the involvement of professionals" Ophthalmologist.

He is the President of Abfo (charitable association "Fulvio Occhinegro"), a voluntary organization established in 2005 in Taranto.

Born following a family mourning, the association pursues a new organizational model where participation and solidarity represent an initial response to the social and individual hardship of the weakest.

"A real "home" capable of expressing a sense of welcome and support, but also dialogue, involvement and education in values".

The Abfo Center is made up of two areas,

GIACOMO PANIZZA

, 75 years old, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his lifelong commitment to social inclusion through a voluntary network that deals with identifying recovery paths for people in serious difficulty" Don Giacomo, a priest from Brescia, founded in 1976 in Lamezia Terme "Progetto Sud" a self-managed community together with people with disabilities that also collaborates with Caritas of Calabria.

The community was born in 1976 as a self-managed project of coexistence between people with and without disabilities, with the intention of "building community".

It is currently a group of networks, it promotes the diffusion of poles of inclusion and integration between different subjects, taking care of and protecting the rights of citizenship.

Rooted in the Calabrian context,

cooperates with many Italian and foreign realities to enhance the protagonism of the various vital worlds of society, accompanying paths of empowerment of vulnerable people and groups.

Over the years it has expanded its action into voluntary work and rehabilitation of minors, drug addicts, immigrants, AIDS patients, prostitutes, poor people and children with autism.

ANTONIO PETRALIA

, 55 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having made a gesture of solidarity through his activity as an entrepreneur" Managing Director of Eurosets srl of Medolla (MO).

He hired a young woman who was saved by a machine built by the same company.

Saida Ibnou - Bouzid discovered years ago that he suffers from a congenital disease that causes serious breathing difficulties.

In July 2021 her condition worsened.

Saida's respiratory functions are replaced by the "life-saving" equipment whose technology "has been patented by the company" of Petralia.

The entrepreneur Petralia therefore decides to inquire about the girl's health conditions and subsequently invites her to visit her plant in Medolla, the headquarters of the

agency.

Saida has the opportunity to tell her life to Petralia who offers her to work for her company.

MARCO RODARI

, 47 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his constant voluntary work in war zones aimed at offering a smile to the little ones" Clown in war zones, President of the association "To make the sky - Claun Pimpa" ODV.

From a very young age he began collaborating in the oratory to follow young people and understood that this was his future.

He begins to travel around Italy and around the world giving smiles.

Graduated in Modern History, he decides to devote himself to writing to "bring out" all the horror and all the beautiful things he experienced during his missions as a Clown in the war-torn places of the Middle East.

Travel the world "armed" with a red nose, "to make the sky smile", where bombs and tears fall.

In recent months he has traveled to Lviv, to orphanages in the area, meeting young and very young people who have lost their parents, or young people with disabilities.

"Children have joy printed in their DNA and laughter is really the only hope left in this war that erases everything else, from buildings to the carefree of the best years", "War is the failure of the human being".

BARBARA SUZZI

, 60 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his activity aimed at informing and improving the living conditions of people affected by Fibromyalgia Syndrome" President of the United Italy Fibromyalgic Committee.

In 2016 he founded the United Italy Fibromyalgic Committee (CFU), assuming the role of President.

The Committee intends to represent and protect the moral and material interests of subjects affected by fibromyalgia syndrome.

The Association, which works in favor of third parties through voluntary activities understood as an expression of participation, solidarity and pluralism, inspired by the principles of human solidarity, aims to promote activities aimed at information and obtaining institutional recognition of Fibromyalgia Syndrome,

CFS/ME, MCS and EHS among chronic and disabling diseases.

The Association intends to promote any type of initiative aimed at improving the living conditions, assistance and care of people affected by these pathologies and their families.

BIAGIO TAGLIENTE

, 39 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his timely and decisive intervention in favor of a little girl suffering from a respiratory crisis" Deputy Superintendent of the State Police in service at the Martina Franca police station (TA ).

On 12 October 2022, off duty, he rescued and took to the hospital a 20-month-old girl suffering from a respiratory crisis.

Hearing screams coming from the entrance to her building, Tagliente found the little girl's parents in a panic.

The child was not breathing and was now in a cyanotic state.

After trying to revive her, he transported the child and her parents to the emergency room of the Martina Franca hospital.

John

MARIA VERGANI

, 49 years old, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For his activity as Coordinator of initiatives aimed at identifying opportunities and paths of inclusion for disabled people" Coordinator of the "Tiki Taka - Equiliberi di essere" project, conceived in 2017 for the inclusion of people with disabilities, by the Novo Millennio cooperative society of Monza.

The Tiki Taka Project stands alongside the municipal administrations by creating close relationships with the parishes and companies in the area.

"We want to build paths and opportunities within our local communities, which modify the widespread vision of disability. No longer just people to take care of, but a resource for the whole community, to be expressed and valued".

Since its inception, Tiki Taka has involved about thirty realities which, together with people with disabilities, identify opportunities that can promote independence.

Giovanni explains that he wants to get out of the logic of a funded project to enter that of creating community relationships.

RUDI ZANATTA

, 52 years old, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having founded an association that is committed to making the dreams of children and young people suffering from serious oncological diseases come true" Founder and President of the "Sogni" Onlus association.

The Dreams Onlus Association, in collaboration with various hospitals, takes care of realizing the dreams of children and young people suffering from serious and terminal oncological pathologies to allow them and their families to get out, even if for a short time, from a daily life full of of hospitals and therapies.

"There is the idea of ​​recovering children in the critical phase, i.e. when they almost always enter a depressive phase because they are hairless and wearing a mask and to get them out into a physiological rehabilitation dimension: we want to get them out to