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The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization honored Joe Calafiore as Humanitarian of the Year at its Honor & Hope Gala on April 18 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. When you first see Joe, the words “Serve and Protect” seem so appropriate, and not just because he was a police officer. He’s an imposing figure; a big guy with slick black hair. When he’s serious, he’s very serious, but somehow you know he wouldn’t hurt a fly. And when he smiles you know everything is going to be okay. That’s why, when his name came up as a candidate for …

  Two longtime local leaders of the Italian American War Veterans’ Ladies Auxiliary have risen to positions of prominence. Angela Rinaldi (right, in photo above) was elected to the post of national president in August at the national convention in Las Vegas, and Mille DiGilio (left) was elected state president in September at the state convention in Harwood Heights. Rinaldi began her involvement in the organization in the early 1990s when she joined the Guido Belmonte Auxiliary #4. She was elected state auxiliary president in 1995, serving a two-year term. In this position, she received recognition from the Illinois Department …

  Gianni Fava, regional minister of agriculture from Italy’s Lombardy region, gave the opening remarks at the “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life” forum in Miami. The event served as the official U.S. pre-launch for EXPO Milan 2015 and celebrated the United States’ support and participation in the upcoming World’s Fair. The National Italian American Foundation presented a $25,000 educational grant to Miami Dade College at the event. On hand were NIAF Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso, President John M. Viola and General Counsel Arthur J.  Furia. “The impact of the $25,000 grant demonstrates the foundation’s commitment and support in …

Easter is a joyous time for Christians around the world, an event that represents the triumph of life over death. Before that momentous Sunday, however, a brief but intense period of mourning commences, culminating on Good Friday, the day Christ was crucified, died and was buried. For centuries, towns and villages across Italy have expressed their collective sorrow with masses and processions that rival any other on the religious calendar. “The Good Friday celebration is the most spectacular in Italy, even more so than even Easter Sunday,” the Rev. August Feccia explains. “This memory is cherished very deeply by the …

Italian-American culture was on display in all its glory at the Orland Park Public Library through April. The Italians in Chicago’s traveling exhibit will be on display throughout the month along with memorabilia gathered from local Italian Americans. The exhibit and related events are being spearheaded by Casa Italia’s Dominic Candeloro and the Order Sons of Italy in America’s Richard Della Croce. http://www.orlandparklibrary.org/italians-chicago.htm    

  Fra Noi website columnist Ron Ricchio once again rallied family and friends to participate in the Kohl’s Step Up For Kids fundraiser at the AON building in Chicago. The event allows “steppers” to raise money for the hospital by climbing the stairs of one of the world’s tallest buildings. Proceeds benefit the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. The Ricchio Climbers have raised thousands of dollars annually for the last four years to celebrate the successful treatment of Ron’s son Francesco at Lurie’s.

Past UNICO National President Tony Fornelli; the Rev. Thomas Regan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Past UNICO National President Mike Veselka; local historian Dominic Candeloro; and Art Lurigio, associate dean for faculty at Loyola’s College of Arts and Sciences, celebrate the first installment of UNICO National’s $25,000 pledge toward the fundraising drive to create an endowed chair of Italian American Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. The drive is only $65,000 shy of its $500,000 goal. http://luc.edu/italianamerican/

Every year, the Italian American Executives of Transportation undertakes two noble goals: to give students a chance to further their academic dreams and recognize those who’ve made a big difference in the lives of others. That they feed people generously at their annual banquet is another story (which we’ll get to eventually). But to be sure, a capacity crowd enjoyed the festivities at the Nov. 22 event, held at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “Without the help and encouragement of the officers, board members, our committees, and the membership of the IAET, this event could not be possible,” says Vito …

by Ron Gruendl During the opening luncheon at the ISDA Convention in Chicago this summer, Hilton Worldwide executive Robert Allegrini opened his remarks by noting his first ISDA convention was held in Pittsburgh back in the late 1980s. “I never thought that a quarter century later, I would be addressing you as a keynote speaker,” he quipped. Allegrini said that his remarks would focus on evangelism “in the noble cause of promoting, preserving and protecting the Italian American culture and heritage.” When visiting the Coliseum in Rome at 10 years of age, his father dug a small stone from a …

The Italian Cultural Center Vocal Scholarship began quietly in 1976 when Josephine LiPuma, an opera singer, music teacher and volunteer at the Italian Cultural Center, approached the Rev. August Feccia about starting a vocal competition under the name of the center. Ms. LiPuma wanted to start the scholarship as an encouragement to young students of opera. Fr. Feccia was in agreement that this would be a perfect event for the ICC. Two opera scholarships were offered to students of Italian Heritage and each year the scholarship honored a different Italian singer or composer. In 1987, Ms. LiPuma was terminally Ill …