Thanks to the beautiful voice of Honoree … Michael Amante … this was the “Charity Ball of all Charity Balls”!   On Friday evening January 30^th, the New York Grand Lodge Foundation was back at the lavish Chateau Briand in Carle Place, Long Island … celebrating “eleven years of giving”!  January 2004 has been a brutally cold and snowy month … but tonight the weather seemed to mellow out and all our expected guests were able to attend this wonderful affair.  It might have been cold outside … but inside our hearts were warm and overflowing with love for the accomplishments of our honorees … the Sisters of St. John the Baptist at Providence Rest … world renowned vocal artist Michael Amante … and New York’s own National President Joseph Sciame!

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. There was an abundance of luscious food, great music and much socializing with friends of OSIA.  We were especially honored to have many visiting National OSIA officers with us.  It was our pleasure to host … National 1^st Vice President Vincent Sarno, National 5^th Vice President Lorraine Fitzgerald, Immediate Past National President Robert A. Messa, National Financial Secretary Anthony Acchione, Past National President and current President of the SIF Paul S. Polo, National Past President Joanne Strollo and National Executive Director Dr. Philip R. Piccagalo.  Also, many thanks to the many Brothers and Sisters of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania who joined us … led by Cav. William D. Bucci, President of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania!  We certainly enjoyed your company and hope you had a wonderful evening with us.  It is always a pleasure to welcome our extended OSIA family to New York!

State President Joseph DiTrapani praised the untiring efforts of Winter Charity Ball Chairperson First Lady Carol DiTrapani and Co-Chairperson Annette Lankewish – along with the entire Charily Ball committee for all working so closely together to present a beautiful commemorative Souvenir Journal along with a “posh” affair.  The ballroom was candle lit … each table was adorned with exquisite red rose and assorted winter flower arrangements … and everywhere you looked there were handsome men in smartly cut tuxedos  ... and glamorous women in special evening attire! 

The New York OSIA Foundation was so honored to have three special honorees this year, all who allowed us to use their names to help raise funds for special charities.

The Sisters of St. John the Baptist, represented by Administrator Sister Seline Mary Flores, were honored for their holy work at Providence Rest and for keeping foremost in their minds and actions, the aspects of human dignity and respect for life at this facility.  They live a life of service, caring for each resident as God’s precious gift of life and love.  Foundation President Joseph DiTrapani on behalf of the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc presented a donation check for Providence Rest in the amount of $5,000 to her.

We also paid tribute to a true friend of OSIA and fellow Italian American … the amazingly talented Michael Amante.  As a young boy, Michael marveled at how his father could always sweep his mother off her feet by simply singing to her in a lilting light tenor voice.  It is a lesson he never forgot and now he sings to “make people feel good”.  The New York Times has called him “a swashbuckling Italian tenor, who exhibits both the voice and charisma of a cross-over star.  Amante has performed for Pope John Paul II, for Luciano Pavarotti, for audiences of thousands … and for a few friends after dinner.  And now … Michael Amante has performed for us at this Winter Charity Ball.  Without sounding mushy and gushy … I don’t know how to explain Michael’s voice and his wonderful “presence”.  All I can say is, find someone who attended the event (and there were 304 people) and ask them to try to explain how they felt as Michael performed for us!  Michael, you shared your gift from God with us and for that we are most thankful! 

 Lastly, and never least in our hearts, we honored National President Joseph Sciame.  Anyone who knows Joe … knows that “no grass grows under is feet”.  Being elected only six short months ago as the 30^th National President, Joseph Sciame has been working tirelessly to initiate the many goals and objectives of his new administration.  Under his stalwart leadership many plans for rejoicing in OSIA’s 100^th Anniversary are well underway.  Whether he is working for St. John’s University … his beloved Notre Dame Parish … multiple civic associations … OSIA’s Garibaldi Meucci Museum … or, serving on numerous boards such as the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and the Providence Rest Foundation, Joseph Sciame serves with distinction and brings his vision to whatever project he undertakes. As a matter of fact, the very concept of OSIA’s Winter Charity Ball was the vision of “then” New York State OSIA President Joseph Sciame and that vision is still going strong.  National President Sciame also presented the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation with a check for $100,000 on behalf of National OSIA.  We, in New York OSIA are so very proud of you National President Sciame!! 

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 Charity Ball Bear.  Everyone seemed to enjoy this fantastic evening ... including the honorees!!

Many thanks again to our honorees and for everyone who attended this event.  Each of you helped to make this another unforgettable and elegant occasion.  See you all next year at our 12^th Winter Charity Ball at which we will celebrate OSIA’s approaching 100^th Anniversary!