NIAF E-News

The glamour of Broadway meets the promise of Ellis Island and the buzz of Little Italy at NIAF’s Ambassador’s East Coast Gala on May 19, 2009 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Hosted by its namesake, Italian Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. Giovanni Castellaneta, and his wife, Lila, the event is chaired by NIAF Board Member Rocco B. Commisso, chairman and CEO of Mediacom Communications Corp.

Honorees include Andrew Dolce of Dolce Hotels and Resorts, a unique global hospitality company specializing in delivering an exceptional corporate meetings experience; Dr. James M. Orsini, M.D., director of medical oncology at Clara Maass Medical Center; Natale Ricciardi of Pfizer Corporation, the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company; and award-winning actor, director and author Paul Sorvino.

This exclusive event will include a live auction featuring items such as an exclusive dinner for four at RAO’s New York.

Click here to REGISTER ONLINE today to reserve your seat for the NIAF Ambassador’s East Coast Gala – you don’t want to miss it!

Contact Carolyn Laurenzano, associate director of development, for ticket and sponsorship information at 202-939-3114 or Carolyn@niaf.org. For information on silent and live auction details, contact Alessia Dinkel, fund development manager, at 202-939-3117 or Alessia@niaf.org.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The sophistication of San Francisco’s Italian American community will take center stage at the NIAF West Coast Gala on May 27, 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel. The event is chaired by Jeffrey M. Capaccio, Esq., NIAF regional vice-president for the far west.

The gala will honor philanthropists John and Romana Bracco, and computer software executives Federico Faggin, Giacomo Marini, and Pierluigi Zappacosta.

The gala will feature both a live and silent auction, with items up for bid including a dinner for eight with Italy’s Consul General for San Francisco, and a basketball autographed by the 2008 Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

Click here to REGISTER ONLINE today to reserve your seat for the NIAF West Coast Gala!

For information regarding the gala and reception, please contact Carolyn Laurenzano, associate director of development, at 202-939-3114 or Carolyn@niaf.org. For information on silent and live auction details, contact Alessia Dinkel, fund development manager, at 202-939-3117 or Alessia@niaf.org.

Visit www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco or call 1-866-540-4491 for hotel accommodations.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

In the wake of the worst national disaster to hit Italy in decades, NIAF has established a special relief fund to help the victims and communities affected by the recent earthquake in Abruzzo.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake, which ravaged the mountain town of L’Aquila and its surrounding communities, to have a magnitude of 6.3. The quake resulted in the deaths of nearly 300 inhabitants and left thousands injured and homeless. Churches, schools, and public buildings have also been completely destroyed, and the Italian government has reported that it will take several billion dollars to restore the total damage done by the earthquake.

NIAF is committed to helping this area rebuild, and has been flooded by inquiries from Italian Americans across the country wanting to become involved with the cause. In just one of the many generous donations received by the fund, professional basketball player Brandon Jennings gave a personal contribution of $50,000. Though not of Italian descent, Jennings is a California native currently residing in Rome with his family to further pursue his professional sports career. No stranger to the shock of an earthquake, Jennings wanted to help the country that welcomed him with open arms during this time of tragedy.

Individuals, corporations and foundations who wish to donate to the NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund can make their donations online at www.niaf.org/relief. One hundred percent of all proceeds go directly to the earthquake’s victims, and all donations are tax-deductible. Keep visiting www.niaf.org/relief for the latest updates.

Actor Danny Aiello, Tutta Pasta restaurant owner Fortunato Di Natale, and NIAF are collaborating on a benefit dinner to support victims of the devastating earthquake that recently hit Italy’s Abruzzo region.

The dinner will take place on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Di Natale’s restaurant Tutta Pasta in Hoboken, N.J., where Aiello and Di Natale will be joined by such notables as Mark Aurigemma, vice president of the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey; Marc Corea, president of Tiro A Segno of New York; Alex Corrado, actor; and other prominent members of the Italian American business community.

Dinner tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased in advance at Tutta Pasta Restaurant, 200 Washington Street, Hoboken, N.J.

Contact Alex Corrado at 917-545-5088 or alcor424@gmail.com with any questions about this event.

NIAF hosts two Graduates to Leaders youth leadership programs

The National Italian American Foundation offers two locations for our Graduates to Leaders ( G2L) Programs: New York City and Italy.

NIAF’s Graduates to Leaders Workshop in New York focuses on fostering leadership skills in recent college graduates and young professionals. At the workshop, successful Italian Americans will share their experiences and explain how leadership skills helped them achieve professional goals. Guest speakers will give advice and motivate college students and young professionals from a variety of career fields. The workshop will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square on Tuesday, May 19 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The program concludes with the NIAF Ambassador’s East Coast Gala at 6 p.m.

Registration is $45 and includes the workshops and a ticket to the gala event. Recent college graduates and young professionals ages 21 and over are invited to participate. Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.

For information about the New York program, please contact Beatrice Santacroce at Beatrice@niaf.org or visit www.niaf.org/g2l.

The University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Siena are partnering with the NIAF’s Graduates to Leaders Program to offer scholarships for the European Union’s Jean Monnet International Summer Seminars in Siena and Rome, Italy. Selected Italian American students will receive a scholarship to attend two seminars dedicated to the exploration of the changing nature of the E.U. The scholarships are for tuition only for two seminars lasting three weeks; chosen participants are responsible for their transportation, room and board while attending the seminars.

The seminars are highly selective and intensive, with 30 teaching hours each week. A pre-requisite for the second seminar is proof of knowledge about the E.U.

For further information, e-mail eu.summer.seminar@uniroma2.it or visit www.niaf.org/g2l or www.eusummerseminar.uniroma2.i

Interested in joining the National Italian American Foundation? Or already a member and planning to renew your support? Now is the time to commit to supporting the Foundation’s many important programs with a springtime pledge of membership.

NIAF offers a variety of membership opportunities, include a Legal Council, Medical Council, Technology Council and Capitol Hill Council to allow for networking within those specific fields. Click here to learn more about NIAF’s commitment to the Italian American community and what membership can do for you.

- NIAF Ambassador’s East Coast Gala at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Contact: Carolyn Laurenzano
Phone: 202-939-3114
E-mail: carolyn@niaf.org
Date: May 19
Attire: Business

-NIAF Graduates to Leaders Program in New York City
Contact: Beatrice Santacroce
Phone: 202-939-3120
E-Mail: Beatrice@niaf.org
Date: May 19
Attire: Business

- NIAF West Coast Gala at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108. For more information, visit www.niaf.org/galas
Contact: Carolyn Laurenzano
Phone: 202-939-3114
E-mail: Carolyn@niaf.org
Date: May 27
Attire: Business

- NIAF Grants Program Application Deadline. For more information, visit www.niaf.org/grants.
Contact: Giuseppina Spillane
Phone: 202-939-3107
E-mail: gspillane@niaf.org
Date: May 29

- NIAF Italian University Club Grants Program Application Deadline. For more information, visit www.niaf.org/grants.
Contact: Giuseppina Spillane
Phone: 202-939-3107
E-mail:gspillane@niaf.org
Date: May 29

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

NIAF e-Newsletter compiled
by Beatrice Santacroce
and edited
by Monica Soladay.
enews@niaf.org

For the latest NIAF news and in-depth details of all the Foundation offers, be sure to visit our Web site: www.niaf.org