We honored “OSIA’s own” on Friday evening, January 28^th as the New York Grand Lodge Foundation returned to the lavish Chateau Briand in Carle Place, Long Island.  Although a very cold evening, it was clear and sunny and the roads leading to the Chateau Briand were free of ice and snow.  It might have been cold outside … but inside our hearts were warm and brimming with love for the accomplishments of our honorees … Rose Albertson, Director of Lion’s Pride OSIA Day Care Center; MaryAnn Barone, Chairperson, Alzheimer’s Foundation; Michelina Cangemi, Chairperson, Breast Cancer Foundation; Frank Ferrante, Chairperson, St. Francis Hospital; Rachele Lanzilotta, Chairperson Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and Theresa Romeo, Chairperson of OSIA’s Gift of Sight program.  Also lauded this evening was Rev. Brother Anthony E. D’Adamo, C.F.C., Executive Vice President of Boys’ Towns of Italy … and last, but never least, New York’s own State President and OSIA Foundation President, Joseph J. DiTrapani.

The Winter Charity Ball has become one of New York OSIA’s premier events of the year. The program flowed with carefully chosen words of caring for our wonderful honorees. 

National and State Chaplain Fr. Donald B. Licata delivered the invocation and benediction … followed by the lighting of OSIA’s “Flame of Liberty” in commemoration of OSIA’s 100^th Anniversary … lit by National President Joseph Sciame, State President Joseph and First Lady Carol DiTrapani, together with OSIA’s Centennial Cities Chairman and Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi.

Kudos were extended to Charity Ball Chairperson Carol DiTrapani and Co-Chairperson Annette Lankewish … along with the entire Charity Ball and Journal committee … for working together to present a beautiful commemorative journal along with a “long to be remembered” affair.  The ballroom was candle lit … each table adorned with dozens of deep red roses … and everywhere you turned there were handsome men and women dressed in formal attire.  The room was glittering from table to table!

The New York OSIA Foundation was so honored to have eight special honorees this year, all which allowed us to use their names to help raise funds for special charities.  We  paid tribute to six of OSIA’s Charity Chairpersons …

Rose Albertson ~ Director of NYSOSIA’s Lion’s Pride Day Care Center – Without Rose’s determination to succeed … setting up curriculum … overseeing renovation of the building and being there every step of the way for the children, we would never have this wonderful center which now belongs to the New York Grand Lodge Foundation.

MaryAnn Barone ~ Chairperson of OSIA’s Alzheimer’s Foundation Charity – Learning all she could about Alzheimer’s, MaryAnn helped to educate may of us in an age where “care giving” for the elderly has become a major issue in our society … and who can forget those wonderful boat rides she coordinated to raise money for this worthwhile charity!

Michelina Cangemi ~ Chairperson of OSIA’s Breast Cancer Foundation Charity - Breast cancer has become one of the most feared disease not only in women … but in men, as Micki has educated us during one of the committee’s very successful Breast Cancer Brunches.   Selling Breast Cancer Pins especially designed for NYSOSIA in the green/white/red colors of the Italian flag, Micki spearheaded the raising of funds for this very worthwhile charity.

Frank Ferrante ~ Chairperson of OSIA’s St. Francis Hospital Charity – Passionate about the world renowned St. Francis Hospital, Frank Ferrante keeps us up to date on the needs of this wonderful facility.  We have donated funds to subsidize a patient room in the new wing and helped in the renovation of their beautiful chapel … a place where families go to find solace and peace during family illness.

Rachele Lanzilotta ~ Chairperson of OSIA’s Cooley’s Anemia Charity – Devoted to our Cooley’s Anemia patients, Rae Lanzilotta continues the tradition of OSIA’s wonderful “Dine-Arounds” to raise money to help eradicate this disease that literally kills our children.  Rae has raised unprecedented profits for the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and there is no doubt that she is helping to “Kiss our kids goodnight … and not goodbye.”

Theresa Romeo ~ Chairperson of NYSOSIA’s Gift of Sight Program – Theresa Romeo is dedicated to assisting those in need of medical treatment to save their sight.  She promotes guide dog sponsorship, interviews candidates for medical treatment and then follows through to contact eye care specialists and hospitals to make arrangements for necessary treatment.

We also paid tribute to Brother Anthony E. D’Adamo, the Executive Vice President of Boys’ Towns of Italy and former Special Assistant to the Founder, Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing. 

Boys’ Towns of Italy is an American charity in service abroad.  It originated as a response to what Founder Monsignor Carroll-Abbing encountered on a day-to-day basis on the streets of Post-War Rome.  Monsignor was working with homeless children at the time and found an intact cellar in a bombed out building, collected pots and pans left behind by the enemy, beds from U.S. war surplus, recruited the help of a few volunteers and sent out the word that there was a safe place for homeless boys to find a meal and spend the night … and so, Boys Towns of Italy found its beginning!  Living and working at Boys’ Town Rome, Brother D’Adamo has rebuilt the Boys’ Town restaurant/kitchen and established a magnificent Video Theater underwritten by Sonny Broccoli, the famous producer of the James Bond 007 films.  He also obtained major product donations of new buses, automobiles, vans, video games, gymnasium equipment, furniture for all the villas, and clothing of all types for the children of Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Rome.  On behalf of the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, President Joseph DiTrapani presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Brother D’Adamo to assist in funding special projects at Boys’ Towns of Italy.

Last but never least … we honored New York OSIA’s Foundation President – Joseph J. DiTrapani as he presided over his last Charity Ball of his triumphant administration. During the past twelve years, President Joe has been committed to the development and success of each and every New York Grand Lodge Foundation Winter Charity Ball.  Unbeknownst to others, he has underwritten flower arrangements, donated teddy bears, funded extraordinary room enhancements and did whatever he could behind the scenes to boost profits.  He has made personal donations on behalf of the DiTrapani family … and as the Foundation President … he leads us down the philanthropic road of being able to do the most good for the most people.  President DiTrapani has a generous spirit that often extends to the way he relates to others.  We thanked him for rising to the top and always keeping the good name of New York OSIA in the forefront and for simply being the good and generous person that he is.  Foundation Vice President Carlo Matteucci presented President DiTrapani with a beautiful crystal award on behalf of the entire New York Grand Lodge Foundation.

After a full and informative program, we spent the remainder of the evening enjoying the company of our OSIA Brothers and Sisters.  During a sumptuous Venetian Hour, the “Gifts Galore" raffle prizes were drawn. Thanks so much to all of you who were kind enough to donate over 60 raffle prizes.  Your generosity in "giving" and "buying" is most appreciated!! We hope you didn’t forget to take home your special 100^th Anniversary OSIA Charity Ball Bear.  Everyone seemed to enjoy this fantastic evening ... including the honorees!!