Today, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca accompanied by Mr Edgar Preca visited the coin counting process of the L-Istrina Piggy Bank campaign at BOV Centre in Santa Venera, where they were welcomed by Mr Deo Scerri, Chairman and Mr Mario Mallia, CEO of the bank.
During their visit, the President and Mr Preca met the volunteers of the Malta Community Chest Fund and the BOV employees who are involved in the coin counting. Mr Mallia explained that, "The coin counting process marks the last phase of this campaign. It is a laborious and time-consuming phase as, once all the piggy banks are collected, thousands of coins are sorted and counted. However, it is this phase that tangibly shows how the small efforts of children from across all schools in Malta and Gozo are an important link in and integral part of the L-Istrina effort." Mr Mallia went on to explain how, "This campaign is very close to our heart at Bank of Valletta, because it instils the value of altruism in the young generation. The 'community' factor also comes to the fore during this campaign as school staff and parents are actively involved, also by organising activities, to raise funds for L-Istrina Piggy Bank campaign."
Mr Edgar Preca, who during the past three months visited more than 30 schools across Malta and Gozo, corroborated Mr Mallia's comments. "I always look forward to these visits. The children's involvement truly embodies the spirit of solidarity that is at the core of this campaign." He expressed his gratitude towards the schools for their keen participation in the activities organised to contribute towards this campaign.
Whilst being shown round the process, H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca thanked the volunteers for their dedication and incessant efforts throughout the year. "The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation embodies the spirt of solidarity. The L-Istrina effort undertaken helps to ease the load for those members in our community who are facing the challenging times in their lives. In this manner, it helps bring out the value of active solidarity within the community, a characteristic that has always distinguished the Maltese people."
The final sum collected through the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank campaign will be presented to H.E. The President during the live broadcast of L-Istrina on the 26th December 2016.