As part of the Casentino's fundraising efforts, volunteers have an ENPA stand at many of the markets and fairs held in Casentino during this time of year.
We have a list telling us who is to attend which fair and yesterday it was my turn to be one of the helpers at the Stia fair. Stia is in upper Casentino about 20 km from where I live. It's a very pretty, lively town and the canile stand had already had a very busy morning. I went during the lunch hour and so found a parking space in one of the side streets and swiped it quick as I knew it would be impossible to find a spot later in the day.
The main method of fundraising is to play tombola (PESCA) where you pay €2 and pick a ticket then see if the number matches a prize. You can also join ENPA or give a donation.
A lot of people wanted to have a go at PESCA and the prizes weren't bad at all! Several very kind people made donations without playing the game and quite a few stopped to pet and talk to the two dogs from the canile – Natan and Alfio – who were at the fair all day and responded beautifully when being stroked, patted and cuddled by various passers by.
There were about six of us at the stall and after donning our ENPA tabards we quickly took them off again as it was fiercely hot. Fortunately we were next to a stand selling spremuta (fresh orange juice) and so we were kept going with a few glasses of that. The lady had a microphone and was enticing passers by so she also came over a few times to encourage people to come and see us too.
The day seemed to be a big success in fundraising terms and for every misery guts who walked past without looking or wanting to look, there was one who did and who gave us some money. It's all very much appreciated, so thank you to all who donated.