Alfa Romeo is racing forward with the charity project “L’Angelo dei bimbi & Angelino”

Silvia Oberti, the "Pilotessa" will be at the wheel

Alfa Romeo is racing forward with the charity project “L’Angelo dei bimbi & Angelino” an initiative with the objective of bringing a smile to children recuperating in hospitals around the world. In fact, with much enthusiasm, Alfa Romeo has decided to collaborate with Sylvia Oberti, the “Pilotessa” from California who for the past 12 years participated in the Mille Miglia driving solo, and in world reknowned races and rallies while raising funds for children and adult health issues.

From Italy, Japan, Argentina, Chile, England, France, Ireland and the United States, there is not a country that doesn’t recognize this woman’s determination to help others. La Pilotessa is the first woman to finish solo the historical Mille Miglia in 1992 and continue for over ten years. This May 6-9, Sylvia Oberti will again participate in the Mille Miglia with “Angelino”, her good luck mascot, a small white bear, with wings like the checkered flag at the finish line. Angelino has traveled around the globe and is a symbol of hope and joy to children everywhere. Angelino has been reproduced to give to every child in hospital, courtesy of Alfa Romeo.

The story of the airplane from 1948 brings Alfa Romeo, Sylvia Oberti and Angelino together today. After WWII, a daring transatlantic flight by pilots Manuer Lualdi and Leonardo Bonzi in a small touring plane with a 120hp Alfa Romeo motor made history and raised funds to help over 15,000 children injured by the war in over eight countries. The airplane was known as the “little plane with the big heart” and “Angelo dei bimbi” literally means Angel of the children. This flight inspired people around the world and gave hope to children everywhere. Today, the legend is being revived by Alfa Romeo.

Children in hospitals from Milan, Brescia, Florence, Genova, Rome and Naples are to receive many gifts from Alfa Romeo, including Angelino, the little white bear symbolizing hope. But the initiative doesn’t stop there, in fact, Sylvia and Alfa Romeo have decided to repeat last year’s successful venture of October 2nd, the day of the Guardian Angels, when Sylvia personally brought gifts and Angelino bears to children in hospitals around Italy. This year Alfa Romeo will offer many gifts including an Alfa Romeo model car and airplane, t-shirts and hats with the famous “Angelo dei Bimbi and Alfa Romeo” and of course Angelino and the children’s book by Sylvia, The Journey of Angelino, the Magical Red Racecar and the Pilotessa. And best of all, the Alfa Romeo concessionaires are donating a TV, DVD and Play Station with DVDs to each of the hospital pediatric play rooms in six cities. This is guaranteed to bring a smile to children in hospital.

We invite you to join our team of the angels, “Squadra degli Angeli” by remembering the children in hospital on October 2nd by donating to a hospital in your city and begin a tradition on the “Day of the Guardian Angels”.

Email: pilotessa@hotmail.com
www.alfaromeo.it

photo courtesy of Alessandro Bersani