In the Press
Record-Breaking Donations at
UNICO's 86th Annual Convention!
UNICO - Largest Italian American Service Organization in the U.S. Successfully Concludes Annual Convention
UNICO National, the largest Italian-American service organization in the U.S., held its 86th annual convention from August 6th through August 10th at the Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco, CA.
Over 300 delegates and members representing 128 chapters from 17 states throughout the country participated in the election of officers, review of constitutional amendments, committee meetings and adoption of resolutions. In addition to the business conducted, there were numerous social events that were enjoyed by the delegates, members and their families.
David M. Donnini formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pa, now of the West Los Angeles Chapter of Unico National was elected to the office of 3 rd Vice President. Gerard Heytink of the Westwood NJ was elected National Expansion Director.
At the Awards Ceremony on Friday August 8 th , Ms. Gina Pellegrini of Berkeley, CA was the recipient the prestigious Dr. DM Nigro Memorial Award for Amateur Athletes. Many UNICO officers and members of various National Committees were also recipients of numerous awards for their outstanding work.
Ms. Kathleen Strozza of San Diego, CA was sworn in as UNICO National President for the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year by outgoing President Joe Agresti of Passaic Valley, NJ. In addition to the election of National Officers for the year, a series of prestigious awards were presented at Saturday's gala Inaugural Ball which concluded the convention.
A high point of the evening was the presentation of the Basilone Freedom Award to Cpl. Carlo DelloRusso who served gallantly in Iraq. Whatever task he received, he accomplished it with a high level of professionalism with little supervision. He demonstrated excellence, superior performance and unfaltering courage in the face of great adversity. Cpl. DelloRusso has been awarded over six medals for his distinguished service to his country.
Fellow Unican, Frank DeMaio, of West Orange, NJ, was presented with the Vastola Award, the highest award any UNICO member can receive. Dr. Vastola founded UNICO in 1922 in Waterbury, CT. The award named after him is presented annually to a UNICO member that has exemplified the group's motto of ‘Service Above Self'. Mr. DeMaio has served in numerous positions in UNICO including NJ XI District Governor, Chapter President and as National Membership & Retention Director. Mr. DeMaio was the recipient of the”Outstanding District Governor's Award”. His chapter, district and national activities span nearly three decades. In his community he has coached Little League Baseball, an usher at St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church for the past 20 years, and also served as an active member of the Booster Club of the High School for 12 years.
Richard Greco, Jr., from Yonkers, NY was presented the Philip Mazzei Civis Illustris American Award for being the Founder and President Emeritus of the Montfort Academy located in Katona, NY, a classical Roman Catholic high school for boys. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence and character formation. The High School offers archeological expeditions to Tuscany, Sicily, Calabria and Rome. In its short five-year history, The Montfort Academy has been named for three consecutive years as one of the top 50 Catholic schools in the United States.
UNICO collected a record number of donations from dedicated individual members, chapters and districts at the convention for its national charities: Cancer Research, Cooley's Anemia, Mental Health, Scholarships and University Chairs in Italian/Italian American Studies.
Officers elected and installed were: Executive Vice President Andre DiMino, Woodcliff Lake, NJ; First Vice President Christopher DiMattio, Scranton, PA; Second Vice President Glenn Pettinato, Carbondale, PA; Third Vice President David M. Donnini, Redondo Beach, CA; Secretary Michael Pisano, Woodcliff Lake, NJ; Treasurer Eugene Santoli, Woodcliff Lake, NJ; and General Counsel Frank Blasi of Scranton PA.
Additional elected officials: Auditor Anthony D'Alessio, Brick NJ; Expansion Director Gerard Heytink, Westwood NJ; Membership and Retention Director Richard D'Arminio, Ramsey NJ; Sergeant-At-Arms John Morano, Passaic Valley NJ ; Scholarship Director Joan Tidona, East Rutherford NJ; and Publication Business Manager Joseph Paci, Garfield NJ.
UNICO, which in Italian means unique or one of a kind, is comprised of men and women of Italian heritage or whose spouse is of Italian heritage. Members work to support charitable, educational, scientific and literary projects while promoting Italian heritage and combating negative stereotyping.
For further information, contact Barbara Peirano, Executive Administrator at 1-800-877-1492.
