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Auction Extravaganza at NIAF Celebrity Luncheon in DC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org


*Maria Bartiromo, Fabio, Giuliana DePandi-Rancic, Dion, Frankie Avalon Join Guests*

**2012 Chrysler 300S Sedan, Dinner Cruise for 40 on Yacht, Culinary Tour of Italy**

(WASHINGTON, DC—October 11, 2011) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) brings back its signature event, the Celebrity Luncheon and Auction, during the Foundation’s 36th Anniversary Gala Convention Weekend at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The October 29 luncheon is 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. with a buffet of Italian delicacies and a showcase of both live and silent auction items in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Maria Bartiromo will join E! News Anchor and NIAF Board Member Giuliana DePandi-Rancic, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci, who is one of this year’s gala honorees,‘50 and ’60 music icon Frankie Avalon, and Italian fashion model Fabio showcasing auction items at the luncheon.

Guests will have a chance to bid a spectacular all-new 2012 Chrysler 300 S Series, the flagship of sedans with its state-of-the art technology features. Drive away in style from the luncheon to get ready for the NIAF 36th Anniversary Awards Gala, one of Washington’s premier gala with more than 3,000 guests from across the United States and Italy, that evening at 6 p.m.

Guests can treat 40 friends to a dinner cruise aboard the luxury yacht Valient as everyone sails past the Statue of Liberty along the Hudson River while sipping cocktails and enjoying dinner.

If cruising is not your favorite, another live auction is a 12-day culinary tour of Italy. You and a guest will receive round-trip business class airfare from American Airlines, two days in Bologna, three days in Siena, two days in Torgiano and finish with three days in Rome – all culinary capitals of Italy!

For guests not going to Italy this year, the Vespa GTS 300 from Piaggio Groups America Inc. is up for auction at the luncheon. With speeds up to 80 mph and fuel efficiency up to 70 mpg, it’s a steal! And the winning bidder gets to choose the color.

Also included in the lineup of items is a chance to bid on a spectacular package to attend the Andrea Bocelli concert on Dec. 2, 8 p.m., at the Verizon Center, in Washington D.C. With this package, you and a guest will be seated in the Golden Circle Seats, row 9, enjoy a delicious pre-show dinner at Georgetown’s favorite restaurant, Café Milano, and after the concert be escorted backstage to meet Andrea Bocelli. You will also receive six hours of private, chauffeured service in your choice of a sedan, SUV or limo.

NIAF’s leadership is also working on a SuperBowl Package to be announced at the luncheon. Stay tuned. To reserve your tickets for the Celebrity Auction Luncheon, please contact Xavier Atizol at 202-939-3100. If you have any question about the Auction please contact Katie Rictor at 202-939-3122 or krictor@niaf.org.

During NIAF’s convention weekend, the Foundation will host Expo Italia, a two-day exhibition showcasing the best of Italy and also feature conferences and seminars celebrating all things Italian. Tickets to Saturday’s black-tie gala begin at $400 per person. Proceeds benefit NIAF’s educational programs. For tickets or sponsor information, contact Jerry Jones at 202-387-0600 or jerry@niaf.org, or register online at www.niaf.org/gala.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent.