History

The establishment of Villa Leonardo Gambin Charity would not have been possible without the presence of the Famee Furlane Toronto. The founding of the Famee Furlane Toronto in 1932 is a story, as Laurence B. Mussio states in his book, Three Generations Strong, A History of the Famèe Furlane Club of Toronto, of a people coming together to share in a common purpose, to preserve a distinct social, linguistic and cultural life, and to translate, adapt, expand and reinvent the Italian and Furlan experience. The organization filled a void that was lacking in Depression era Canada by assisting members in circumstances of illness, unemployment and general misfortune.

Over the course of time, the purpose of the organization was expanded to include a conscious effort to contribute to the social, cultural and economic life of Canada and in particular Toronto. In its modern incarnation, the Famee Furlane Toronto leadership and membership have taken a proactive role in the unique needs of seniors and dedicated themselves to their interests and well-being.

Friuli Long Term Care (the precursor of Villa Leonardo Gambin Charity) was established by the Famee Furlane Toronto in November 2000 in response to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announcement of the 2001 Bed Allocations process, requesting applicants to submit proposals for the issuance of long term care bed allotments.

In May 2001 Friuli Long Term Care entered into a formal agreement with the Ministry to develop a one hundred and sixty-eight bed long term care residence on the Famee Furlane Toronto campus (7065 Islington Avenue in Vaughan, Ontario). In August of the same year, Friuli Long Term Care structured itself as a registered charity.

Between 2001 and 2003, the Charity’s Board of Directors undertook three broad initiatives: architectural / construction planning; project financing; and capital campaign fundraising. The Honourable Frank Iacobucci, then a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, was named the Honorary Chair of the Charity. The $3 million Building a Mosaic of Care Capital Fundraising Campaign was publicly launched at the Charity’s inaugural gala held in October 2002.

Construction of the long-term care residence began in early 2003 and was officially celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony in May. Exterior construction (i.e., roof topping) was completed by October 2003. Construction at this point was directed towards interior rough-in and culminated in the FF&E (furniture, fixture and equipment) installation. Simultaneously, the pre-occupancy training process (i.e., hiring and training of staff) commenced to ensure that the care delivery function was fully operational by opening day.

In April 2004 the Charity announced that Luigi and Sergina Gambin would become its capital campaign major benefactors. Henceforth the seven floor, one hundred and sixty-eight bed long term care residence would be referred to as Villa Leonardo Gambin, in honour of Mr. Gambin’s late father.

On Friday, October 22, 2004, Angela Orlando became Villa Leonardo Gambin’s first resident. The official opening of the residence, attended by over 500 guests including many dignitaries, was held on Saturday, October 30, 2004.

Centrally located in Woodbridge, Villa Leonardo Gambin was created to provide an atmosphere of warmth and comfort for residents as well as visitors. Six unique residential home areas provide an attractive, casual, home-like setting and are designed to meet the diverse needs and preferences of residents. Each neighbourhood has been designed to celebrate life with its own lounge / living area and dining area with family-friendly mini-kitchen serving meals that are Italian inspired. Compassionate staff and respect for the individual preferences of residents and families further make Villa Leonardo Gambin a community of caring. Professional nursing staff available twenty-four hours a day enables the residence to provide comprehensive long-term care services, dementia care and palliative services.

There is no denying the importance of the Famee Furlane Toronto as well as the dedicated work of the Villa Leonardo Gambin Charity’s Board of Directors in making a dream of providing healthcare services to seniors and adults with special needs a reality. But the $21 million long term care residence would not have been possible without the support of individual and corporate donors (the province did not fund the construction of the long term care residence; rather it was built via the generosity of donors and long term financing). The partnership that is developed between the donor community and the Charity is important since it helps to ensure that the highest quality care is provided to the residents of Villa Leonardo Gambin.

MILESTONES

November 2000

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announces the 2001 Bed Allocations process, requesting applicants to submit proposals for the issuance of long term care bed allotments

January 2001

Friuli Long Term Care (FLTC) is incorporated in the Province of Ontario

May 2001

FLTC enters into a formal agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to develop a 168-bed long term care residence on the Friuli Centre campus in Vaughan

July 2001

FLTC Committee, a committee of the Famee Furlane Toronto, holds its inaugural meeting

August 2001

FLTC becomes a registered charity

Government of Canada assigns registered charitable number, 89301 4118 RR0001

March 2002

The Honourable Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci, Supreme Court of Canada, becomes the Honorary Chair of the Charity (a position the Hon. Frank Iacobucci holds to this day)

October 2002

Inaugural Oak Leaf Gala, Co-Chaired by Clara Astolfo and Angela Bosa Slokar
$3 million Capital Fundraising Campaign publicly launched

May 2003

Official groundbreaking ceremony for the 168 bed long term care facility

June 2003

Capital Campaign Father’s Day Appeal fundraiser, produced in cooperation with OMNI Television

October 2003

2nd Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Chaired by Julian Fantino
Official Roof Topping Ceremony

April 2004

Mr. and Mrs. Luigi and Sergina Gambin become Villa Leonardo Gambin - FLTC Charity’s major donor
Seven storey 168 bed long-term residence named in honour of Mr. Gambin’s late father
Villa Leonardo Gambin logo unveiled

May 2004

Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Engines Reception
Ambassador Programme reception hosted by Remo Ferri and Ferrari Maserati of Ontario

June 2004

Capital Campaign Father’s Day Appeal fundraiser, produced in cooperation with OMNI Television

October 2004

Tribute Dinner for the Hon. Frank Iacobucci fundraiser
Mrs. Angela Orlando on October 22nd becomes the first resident of the $21 million Villa Leonardo Gambin residence, made possible by the generosity of donors and long term financing
Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony takes place on October 30th

December 2004

3rd Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Chaired by Julian Fantino

May 2005

Tribute Dinner for Julian Fantino fundraiser

June 2005

Villa Leonardo Gambin residence reaches full home bed capacity (has maintained full capacity with a healthy waiting list thereafter)

September 2005

Inaugural Meeting of the Villa Leonardo Gambin Charity’s Board of Directors:

Matthew Melchior, Chair
Clara Astolfo
Jerry Buligan
Gianni Ceschia
Ralph Chiodo
Julian Fantino
Luigi Gambin
Armand Scaini
Rose Simone

October 2005

4th Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Chaired by Ben Soave

November 2005

Major Donor Reception at Villa Leonardo Gambin and the unveiling of the Donor Wall
Villa Leonardo Gambin residence receives three year accreditation award

November 2006

5th Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Chaired by Primo Di Luca

February 2007

Tribute Dinner for Giuliano Zaccardelli fundraiser

March 2007

Welcome Aboard Festa fundraiser, Co-Chaired by Ralph Chiodo and Julian Fantino

November 2007

6th Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Chaired by Rudolph P. Bratty

March 2008

Welcome To Canada Festa fundraiser, Co-Chaired by Ralph Chiodo and Julian Fantino

May 2008

Hats Off to Women High Tea fundraiser

November 2008

7th Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Co-Chaired by Marcel Aitoro and Antonio Patullo
Villa Leonardo Gambin residence receives three year accreditation award

March 2009

Villa Leonardo Gambin residence implements Pressure Ulcer Awareness Programme in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Health

June 2009

Michael Volpatti becomes newest member of the Charity Board (position previously held by Julian Fantino)
Villa Leonardo Gambin residence implements research project (TURN Study) with the University of Toronto and the University of Texas

October 2009

8th Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Chaired by Fausto Gaudio
5th year anniversary of the opening of the Villa Leonardo Gambin residence
Announcement of major infrastructure expansion / renovation at the Villa Leonardo Gambin residence

April 2010

Construction related to the expansion / renovation of the Villa Leonardo Gambin residence begins

October 2010

9th Annual Oak Leaf Gala, Co-Chaired by Italo DiBonaventura and Perry Dolente

February 2011

Official opening of the $1.5 million expansion / renovation of the Charity’s Villa Leonardo Gambin Residence

Featuring expanded café/lounge and multi-purpose room incorporating audio/visual equipment to enhance resident programming

New outdoor courtyard

Expansion / renovation made possible by individuals and corporations through donations and support of fundraising initiatives

Your Health Talk, quarterly speaker series undertaken in conjunction with York Central Hospital, starts (first topic, Acute Stroke, Mini Stroke, What does it all mean?)

May 2011

Celebrating Community Afternoon Tea (joint fundraiser between Villa Leonardo Gambin Charity and Alternatives), Co-Chaired by Rose Chiodo, Maria Chiodo, Rita Chiodo Diamantakos and Sabrina Chiodo Marimpietri