On a beautiful evening in Florence, Italy, the stories of three groups of Amway heroes were told:

Maria Romagnoli and Mauro Iacoangeli have worked for many years to raise funds for UNICEF, a little at a time. They promote the cause and volunteer in many fun and creative ways, such as organizing soccer matches between Amway Business Owners and customers.

Grazia and Alessio Nocentini are part of a group of Amway Business Owners who raise funds for a children’s hospital in Florence. This year alone, they raised 30,000 euros ($40,000 USD) for the Meyer Foundation to purchase special medical equipment.

Lucia Rampelotto was quick to respond after an earthquake struck the Emilia region last year. She organized a fundraising initiative that raised 10,000 euros ($13,000 USD) to help rebuild a kindergarten named Scuola dell’Infanzia S. Vincenzo dé Paoli in the city of Cavezzo.

Each of these heroes was recognized at the Avedisco National Awards by the Italian Direct Selling Association in an effort to inspire other everyday leaders to help improve their communities.

Amway Business Owners in Italy have made a significant contribution to 10 years of helping children through Amway One by One. We applaud their heroic efforts!

Thanks to Sarah Wellner and Riccardo Gastoni for sharing this story.

In a tough economic year, Amway Europe showed both cross-border collaboration, and generous local support.

In Amway affiliates across Europe, there were runs, walks, bikes and swims to raise money for children’s causes. Many were focused on support of UNICEF, a partner that Amway has supported in big and small ways since the early 2000s. And in show of solidarity, Amway and its employees and business owners across Europe raised money to build a third preschool in a remote area of Turkey, in partnership with UNICEF.

Amway Russia continued to grow its Child’s Smile project to equip government hospitals with playrooms for children, adding 16 more this year, totaling more than 100 to date. Amway also expanded its support for children in orphanages and rehabilitation centers, by scaling up a therapy program with local circus troupes. Interactive circus programs helped to speed recovery from abuse and neglect for more than 1,100 children this year.

And play was on the mind of soccer athletes in six cities across Russia who took part in Equal in Sport. This innovative program pairs disabled children with their able-bodied peers to compete in soccer tournaments as equals. In partnership with Amway Russia, Amway Italy and the AC Milan professional soccer team, Equal in Sport tournament winners traveled to Italy for special treatment – and a very special game.

Finally, Amway employees from across Europe gave young refugees a chance at a better life, by spending time sharing helpful knowledge that would help ensure success in daily life in Germany. From woodworking to bike riding, more than 100 teenagers learned some great skills, and made some great friends.

There were many more activities across Europe in 2012 … and many more planned for the upcoming year!

Earlier this year, a series of 34 earthquakes hit the Italian region of Emilia, including a 5.8 magnitude quake on May 29.

In just two months, the quakes caused several deaths and destroyed hundreds of houses and buildings, including some historic medieval architecture.

Immediately following the first wave of severe quakes, Amway Italy Geneal Manager Fabrizio Suaria issued a call to action.

Amway quickly began to provide cleaning and personal hygiene products to those in the affected areas, delivered by Amway Business Owners.

Amway staff also took part, volunteering their time to dismantle an outdoor church that collapsed during the earthquakes, and making plans to return again soon.

In addition, Amway launched a campaign to raise funds. Through the support of Amway, ABOs and employees, a kindergarten that had been completely destroyed in the city of Finale will soon be rebuilt.

Thanks to Sarah Wellner for sharing this story. To view a photo gallery of Amway volunteers, click here and to see a gallery of the school that will be rebuilt by Amway, click here.