Well, we are certainly hoping and praying for a safe and Happy New Year. The Foundation is excited about its continued growth and our mission driven work to support the education of our Italian American community. We appreciate the consistent and generous support of the Little Italy Lodge members over the past 3 years of our formal non profit status. We have some great and breaking news to share with our Lodge stakeholders to kick off a Happy New Year.
Taste of Italy
Mark your calendars… due to the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the expected roll out of vaccines, The Foundation’s Board has decided to support hosting our Taste of Italy (ToI) fun fundraiser on Sunday September 26, 2021 @ The Little Italy Lodge from 1:00-5:00pm. We are unsure of the Raven’s schedule but we are sure of the pent up enthusiasm and demand for a joyous Italian American Fall Festa. Tickets will go on sale in the Spring and we expect a sell out! Stay tuned for details on ToI on how you can help support the best ToI ever. Maureen Chandler and her Team are already planning a special day e.g., our 2021 Scholarship Awardees will be recognized.
Scholarships
The Foundation Board, chaired by Vince Piscopo, has approved increasing the number of scholarships for 2021. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Mr. Carl Julio, who has committed to donating $20,000.00 in 2021, the Board has authorized increasing the total amount of award dollars from 2020’s record high of $24,000.00 to an unprecedented $32,000.00 in the ‘20-‘21 school year. The Scholarship Foundation plans to award SIX scholarships in June of 2021: 2 awards at $6K each and 4 awards @ $5K each. The Foundation typically receives 10 valid and qualified scholarship applications per year. If that tradition continues, then we expect a majority of applicants ( n=6) will receive a Little Italy Lodge scholarship! This amazing outcome would not be possible without Mr. Julio’s legacy dollars to educate our children. Mille Grazie Carl.
Scholarship Application
The Board is in the process of approving the final version of the 2021 Scholarship Application. The Foundation expects to post the application on the Lodge’s and Foundation’s websites no later than Friday January 8,2021, hopefully sooner. Applications must be delivered by US Mail or email to the Designated Recipient, Sue Corasaniti, by May 1, 2021. Awardees will be notified by June 1,2021. The incoming Chair of The Scholarship Selection Committee is Christopher Pisano. The Foundation is sincerely appreciative of the amazing work Tony Montcalmo has performed leading the selection committee the past year. Tony will be stepping down as Chair but will remain a vital member of our At Large Committee. Mille Grazie Tony! A final note of news, our wonderful and youngest member of the Foundation, Maria Fratangelo, will be taking time off over the next 6 months as she turns her maternal instincts to raising a bambino/a. Fantastico news for Maria and her Famiglia…hopefully a future scholar awardee in 2038! Avanti!
Website
Visit littleitalyfoundation.org for all you need to know about your Foundation, scholarships, Taste of Italy, and our generous sponsors! We are blessed with talented people who put in the volunteer time, talent, and treasure to help students in our Italian American community thrive in college.
“Arenda Tutti Bene”…soon all will be well. May God bless each of you and America this New Year. See ya @ the Lodge and Taste of Italy. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above or the Foundation, feel free to email me at paul.r.rao@gmail.com or call my cell at 410-591-3021. Ciao!
Respectfully submitted,
Paul R. Rao PhD, Foundation President
Paul.r.rao@gmail.com