After a successful 2011 World League campaign with Poland, Coach Andrea Anastasi took time together with his coaching staff to visit kids at the children’s hospital organized by Herosi Fundacja.
It’s great to see Coach Andrea and his staff making a different in the lives of these kids. Our hearts melt when we see the precious smiles on the faces of these kids.
We’ve received the official press release from Herosi about the event. Read more below…
In 2010 the players of Polish National Volleyball Team for their involvement in charitable activities of the “Herosi” Foundation were honored with the title of the Stars of Philanthropy. They always try to find at least a bit of time to help children, especially those suffering from cancer. They meet with the Foundation’s wards, paint gifts and give sport trophies and for an auction, and if necessary dance and sing only to satisfy children’s needs and dreams.
Andrea Anastasi, after landing a job of the coach of Polish National Volleyball Team became interested in this ‘behind the court’ activity of his players. Italian already in Gdańsk, during the World League Finals of 2011, along with his players participated in the action of piggybanks painting. Being for just one day in Warsaw, together with his assistants: Andrea Gardini (2° coach), Giovanni Miale (physical preparation coach) and Patryk Czarnowski (middle blocker), decided to his time and visit ill children and adolescents of the oncology department of the Instytut Matki i Dziecka (Institute of Mother and Child) in Warsaw.
The members of training staff talked about their impressions of staying in Poland, praising traditional Polish cuisine, especially the “żurek” (sour rye soup) soup and “pierogi” (dumplings). The children enjoyed the privilege of asking questions to those responsible for the Polish Team. There were some sport experts present among the children, such as 17-year old Maciek, who asked about quick hit technique of attack: “Why our team uses it so rarely?” To dispel the doubts, Andrea Anastasi had to refer himself to the statistics of the World League Finals according to which after the Brazilian team, the Polish one plays this variant of attack with the biggest frequency.
It is already a sort of tradition, a little tongue-twister test to which all foreign guests are put to. Many Poles cannot handle this one: Król Karol kupił Królowej Karolinie korale koloru koralowego (King Charles bought a necklace made of colorful coral for Queen Caroline). To his own surprise, Mr Anastasi have not commit any error, for which he deserved praise and applause.
After the general conversation, the guests visited every department’s room to be able to talk with everyone at least for a moment, especially those who could not leave their beds. The image of adults holding teddy bears – gifts for the children, while entering the door, made smile not only the youngest but also their parents and the medical staff. After signing autographs the guests saw the equipment which “Herosi” was able to purchase thanks to the volleyball auctions as well as the memorial plaque of the common activities on favor of the Foundation.
“Smile of a patient, a child in particular, is priceless. I am happy that I could be here, although briefly. It feels great to do something for the others, and gives enormous satisfaction.” – said Andrea Anastasi after the event.
“My mum is a nurse, so I know the “hospital environment”, but still, I was afraid of the beginning, not knowing how to behave, what to do… Actually, I have had so called in Polish “soft knees”. But after a while, when I saw all those smilling faces, a boy with a sport newspaper approaching us, all the fear has passed away and now I can say I am really pleased and happy for the visit.” – Patryk Czarnowski expressed his final impressions about the action.
People in the Volleyball World can make a difference!
Yes We Can!
Thank you to Herosi for organizing the event! We’d like to acknowledge the genuine work you do for these kids and for everyone. Volleywood strongly and deeply supports your mission.
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