At age 65, The Italian Club of Staten Island Foundation, Inc., is still going strong.
The time-honored organization played host to its 64th annual Dinner Dance Friday, April 10 in Nicotra’s Ballroom of the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, where some 170 revelers came out to party heartily, laud the evening’s honorees, and to raise their glasses in recognition of the foundation’s commitment to the community.
Honored for their outstanding service were State Sen. Diane Savino and hoteliers, Lois and Richard Nicotra.
It’s interesting to note that The Italian Club of Staten Island was founded in 1950 by eight prominent Italian-Americans who organized to promote “a better understanding among leading Italian-Americans in the business and professional field and to raise awareness about Italian culture.”
In so doing they raised funds for charitable, philanthropic, and educational organizations and collectively developed a commitment to community involvement at various levels including the formation of a student scholarship program and a number of food drives.
From the original eight, membership has expanded to well over 1,000 accomplished individuals.
To this day The Italian Club of Staten Island Foundation, Inc., donates more than 300-holiday food baskets annually to Islanders in need.
Proceeds from the Dinner Dance will fund two scholarships presented to two outstanding high school seniors.
In speaking of her Italian-American heritage, Senator Savino noted that “We’re not only here tonight to celebrate a dinner dance, but rather to celebrate an organization devoted to advancing the interests of Italian-Americans. She added, “It’s about persevering the dreams and aspirations of all of those who came through Ellis Island and I accept this award on behalf of my family and my grandmother who recently passed at age 103.”
In addressing the crowd, Lois and Richard Nicotra also acknowledged the great contributions Italian-Americans have made to this country. They added that as a team, as a “unit” and as business partners, they are grateful for their good fortune, and for being afforded the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who call Staten Island home. Making a new start in a completely different country is a massive step to take, but it was done to help families have a better life. So many people immigrated to achieve this with their relatives by moving all over the states to settle down, and now future generations want to learn of where everyone ended up by using such resources as Genealogy Bank to see where they come from and connect to their family roots more. It is important to be proud of your family’s heritage and this club has proven that.
Anthony Maniscalco, a board of directors and dinner dance chair who is to be recognized with the Membership Achievement Award in the name of Patsy Serra, stated: “It was an honor to chair tonight’s dinner dance on the club’s 65th anniversary. Our honorees, Senator Diane Savino and Lois and Richard Nicotra, are truly deserving as they give so much of their time, energy, and love back to Staten Island.”
In an age when negative stereotyping is often associated with Italian-Americans, it’s refreshing that an age-old organization has not only managed to withstand the test of time, but is still working diligently to contribute to those in need.