On Friday, January 27th, the New York Grand Lodge Foundation honored National President Vincent Sarno at the Thirteenth Winter Charity Ball … along with paying tribute to Dr. Lois Pontillo Mignone and Dr. Mario Mignone.
The Winter Charity Ball has become one of New York OSIA’s premier events of the year. We were honored to have so many of our National officers in attendance to pay homage to National President Sarno ….. National 1st Vice President Valentino Ciullo; National 2nd Vice President Alfred Affinito; National 4th Vice President Lorraine Fitzgerald; National 5th Vice President Joseph DiTrapani; National Immediate Past President Joseph Sciame; National Orator Francis Recchuiti; National Financial Secretary Gennaro Vuono; National Treasurer Louis Ambrosio; Past National President and current SIF President Robert A. Messa; Past National Presidents Paul Polo, Joanne Strollo and Peter R. Zuzolo; and National Foundation Trustee David Caramenico. Also in attendance was President of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Cav. William Bucci who presented President Sarno with a wonderful gift from the Brothers and Sisters of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It is always a pleasure to welcome our National OSIA family to New York!
Other visiting dignitaries were First Vice President of the Columbia Association, Department of Corrections, Joseph Leggio; Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli; Hon. Donald Clavin; Senator Charles Fuschillo; Senator Carl Marcellino; Assemblyman Joseph Saladino; Assemblyman David McDonough and Councilman Anthony Avella.
In the absence of our beloved Chaplain Fr. Donald B. Licata, National IPP Joseph Sciame delivered a heartfelt invocation and benediction. Kudos were extended to Charity Ball Chairperson Annette Lankewish and Co-Chairperson Madeline Matteucci … 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 and the room was glittering from table to table!
National President Vincent Sarno was lauded for his lifelong service to OSIA and for his unpretentious leadership abilities. He was elected National President at the 31st Biennial National Convention held in New York in August 2005 and has been busy ever since. As a 35 year member of OSIA President Sarno is most well known for the founding of 33 lodges in his home state lodge … the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. He is married to our gracious National First Lady Paula and they have two children Vincent and Rosemary – who is married to Stanley Rapp, and two grandchildren – Christine Paula and Michelle Elizabeth.
Dr. Lois Pontillo Mignone was presented with a Special Recognition Award for her exceptional service to the scholastic community and her deep-rooted Italian American pride. She chairs the Foreign Language Department of the Ammerman Campus of Suffolk Community College and is the College Wide Coordinator of the Foreign Language Program for all three Suffolk Community College campuses. As a teacher of foreign language, Dr. Mignone has excelled in the classroom where her classes are known for their high level of energy and enthusiasm.
Dr. Mario B. Mignone was also presented with a Special Recognition Award for his many years of extraordinary service to the Italian American community. In 1985 Professor Mignone founded the Center for Italian Studies and has served as its Director for the past fifteen years. The Center has just finished a fund raising campaign to create a chair in Italian American Studies at Stony Brook University. Professor Mignone is a scholar and author of over fifty articles and five publications. His book “Italy Today: At the crossroads of the New Millennium” is being adopted in many universities as a textbook for courses on contemporary Italy. Married to Dr. Lois Pontillo Mignone, the Mignone’s are the parents of Pamela (married to Daniel Salzman, Cristina (married to Phillip Armato) and Elizabeth … and grandparents to Emma, Anna, Andrew and Nicholas.
This special event highlighted OSIA’s newest charity … Coaches vs. Cancer. This is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches to raise money for one of life’s most dreaded disease … cancer. Basketball Coaches all over the country are helping to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living. They help raise funds to support research, education, advocacy and community service efforts through the American Cancer Society. What a worthwhile cause! Foundation President Carlo Matteucci presented National President Vincent Sarno with a donation in his name of $2,000 to Coaches vs. Cancer through the New York Grand Lodge Foundation.
Many thanks again to our honorees and for everyone who attended this event. Each of you helped to make this both a social and financial success for the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc.
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