Chicco continues to support Ai.Bi. Association and, with the creativity of the Chantecler brand, proposes a luxury version of the symbol of solidarity that becomes a silver, pink gold and diamond charm

The meeting of two Italian families, whose brands represent the Italian flavour and style all over the world, has led to the development of an extraordinary charity project to support Ai.Bi. Association, whose mission is to give all children the love and affection of a family.

Last year, thanks to the support of the “Chicco Fans”, we reached an incredible goal: the adoption of 188 “special” children (children suffering from physical or mental problems, or simply older children or groups of brothers and sisters).

This year, to make this an even bigger success and help even more children, Chicco knocked on the door of Chantecler, a top jewellery maison in Capri, who has created a new interpretation of the Chicco di Felicità (seed of happiness). The firm has been designing amazing jewellery for the most beautiful women in the world since 1947, and has designed the luxury Chicco di Felicità, a limited edition silver, pink gold and diamond charm.

The charm is a precious gift, ideal for special occasions such as births, baptisms, first communions or christenings of loved ones.

Proceeds of the sale of the luxury charm will all go to the Ai.Bi. Association to promote the adoption of less fortunate children, giving them the joy and happiness of a family

It is possible to purchase the Chicco di Felicità by Chantecler from the Chicco Stores in Milan - via Dante, Milan - C.so Vercelli and Grandate at a price of 300 Euro (all proceeds will be devolved to Ai.Bi.).

A symbol of generosity, a stylish piece of jewellery and a glamorous accessory, three principles blend into one charm to create the most amazing gift ever: the happiness of a “special” child.

Over 130,000 testimonials of the “Chicchi di Felicità (Seeds of Happiness) for special children” project, the result of a collaboration between Chicco and Ai.Bi. Association aimed at promoting adoptions, which are rapidly decreasing, and collect funds to support the information, training and assistance to couples and children throughout the special adoption procedure.

And today the Chicco di Felicità becomes a bracelet, complete with an adjustable evanescent tube, ideal for wearing alone or together with other bracelets, for a truly glamorous and vaguely 70’s look.

For those who like to customise their possessions, the evanescent tube can be discarded as the Chicco di Felicità has a practical small loop, that can be used to hook it onto anything you prefer, to make a clear statement on the importance you give to the world of children.

The Chicco di Felicità has now become a trendy charm that identifies and unifies all “Chicco Fans”.

The new medallion is on sale at all Chicco Stores at just 3 Euro, a small contribution to give enormous help to all “special children” who will have the chance to live and grow up within the warmth of a family.

Apart from this new edition, in selected Chicco Stores it will also be possible to purchase the Chicco di Felicità Velvet Edition bracelets, in 10 different colours, at the special price of 6 Euro.

To join the community, simply access the Solidarity section of the Chicco.com website and post a photograph portraying you proudly wearing the precious pendant with the best of smiles or in the company of friends.

The Chicco di Felicità will make 2012 a fashionable year for all its fans, but more importantly, it will diffuse happiness from heart to heart, to all those who wear it, turning parents and “special” children into a real family.

The "Chicchi di Felicità (Seeds of Happiness) for special children" project is promoted by Chicco and Ai.Bi Association to support the adoption of children with “special needs”. In line with this mission which dates back to 2003, in 2010 Chicco decided to support Ai.Bi. Association in a new project in favour of Special children. The project is aimed at minors in particular situations: children over 7 years of age, large families, children will various health disorders, many of which that can be resolved over time. The search for families which are suited for an adoption of this kind requires a very special type of support that Chicco intends to provide: specific training, psychological support and constant on-hand sustainment from the matching period through to the post-adoption phase.

The symbol of this project is the Chicco di Felicità a stylish medal in chromed metal that can be worn at all times. The Chicco di Felicità is a sign of the pledge to support the world of children and its tangible commitment to help children who have a more difficult life compared to others. It can be found in all Chicco stores with a donation of just 3 Euro.

Help us show that there are many like us who believe in this concept. The more we are, the more we can achieve.

Because happiness is a seed that is generated by small gestures. If we cultivate it, it will grow into a plant which sprouts abundant fruit.

Beginning in 2009, Chicco and Ai.Bi. began providing Family Exchange Areas: services set up at Ai.Bi. sites across Italy where cost-free exchanges take place supporting parents and where psychological help sessions are offered to families.

The purpose of the Family Exchange Areas is to provide concrete responses to the requirements of children and their families, both foster families and blood-related families, increasing awareness on themes such as care and fostering.

In Italy, up to this present day, there are 10 Family Exchange Areas and a Family Exchange Area in Onna/Aquila, with the specific objective of providing genuine support to families affected by the earthquake.

In 2003, the project "Close Institutes, open up families" was established to deal with the closure of Institutes for minors (as specified with Legislation 149/2001) and defend the rights of all children to a family, by means of the creation of a network of Family Homes and family support Centres.

The project, established in collaboration with the Association, Amici dei Bambini (Ai.Bi. - Children's Friend Society)is unique in terms of instigating preventive social interventions able to provide solutions to child neglect and in terms of raising awareness on the subject of fostering.

The project enabled the opening of 5 Family Homes across Italy: Naples, Milan, Mestre, Crema and Turin.

The project symbol was a "Pacifier", a coloured dummy, representative of the concrete commitment of Chicco in addition to all those flaunting the aforementioned, to support children in difficulty.