FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(WASHINGTON, DC – May 7, 2004) The St. Louis Italian American community has collected almost $10,000 to contribute to a fund for the students of the earthquake-stricken village of San Giuliano di Puglia, in Italy’s region of Molise. The Washington-based National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)is matching the contribution.

“Upon learning of the horrific earthquake in San Giuliano di Puglia, the Comitato Degli Italiani all’Estero (COMITES) members, Cavaliere Antonino Lombardo and his brother Michael Lombardo, mobilized leaders of the Italian American Community in St. Louis, and spearheaded a fundraising event to assist the town and its victims, “Joe Colagiovanni, Esq., honorary vice consul of Italy in St. Louis, MO, said. “Over 250 individuals and organizations responded to our request. A dinner dance and auction was held, and most of the revenue went into profit because of the generosity of various restaurants, businesses and musicians,” Colagiovanni, added.

The San Giuliano di Puglia Relief Fund will be used for a student-oriented program including intercultural exchanges between San Giuliano di Puglia and American students.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of Italian Americans. The Foundation has a wide-range of programs that provide scholarships and grants, internships, conferences and cultural seminars. Visit our website at www.niaf.org