FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

EVENT: NIAF EAST COAST GALA

Contact: Elissa Ruffino at 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is hosting its annual East Coast Gala, on April 20 in New York City, to benefit NIAF’s scholarship and education programs.

NIAF will salute the following prominent industry leaders for their outstanding leadership in business, entertainment and sports:

• Lawrence T. Babbio, president and vice chair, Verizon Communications
• Yogi Berra, New York Yankees baseball legend
• Ernest Borgnine, Academy Award-winning actor
• Lou Lamoriello, president, CEO and general manager, New Jersey Devils
• Paul Tagliabue, commissioner, National Football League (NFL)

The gala is chaired by Vincent Viola, senior strategic advisor of the New York Mercantile Exchange. NIAF Board Member Christina Johnson is the gala honorary chair. Entertainer Liza Minnelli will present a student with the NIAF/ Vincenzo Minnelli Scholarship in Music in honor of her later father, the famed director and producer.

Actor Danny Aiello, singer and artist Tony Bennett, and CNBC anchors Maria Bartiromo and Ron Insana are some of the prominent Italian Americans attending the gala. Antonia Bennett, daughter of Tony Bennett, will perform.

Dinner tickets start at $250 per person. Attire: Business. To purchase tickets, contact, Bonni Cellini at 202/939-3114 or bonni@niaf.org. You can also register on line at www.niaf.org .

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.niaf.org