Lock Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge Present Over $38,000 in Donations to Community Organizations
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN — On Friday evening, ten organizations and fifteen fire departments from Clinton County came together to accept donation checks from Loggia Giosue Carducci Lodge No. 146 Sons and Daughters of Italy. The lodge donated $38,635 to local organizations that provide services to better the community. Representatives from several of those organizations who could attend the event were present to receive their donation checks and share how their agency plans to use the money.
Board members of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, along with lodge president Dan Vilello, were in attendance at the event, which was held in the lodge’s new outdoor Italian courtyard. According to Vilello, the Lock Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy has given out about $140,000 in donations this year.
The Sons and Daughters of Italy have become well-known for their contributions to the community at this annual event; however, they voluntarily contribute funds to local organizations throughout the year. The donation funds presented on Friday evening came from the gambling funds at the lodge, as the state requires 60% of those proceeds to be donated for public interest purposes.
Donations to the 15 local fire companies totaled $6,000, with $400 going to each company.
Ron Dremel, President of the Piper Aviation Museum, and Charles Rosamilia, Vice President of the museum, attended the event to accept a donation check in the amount of $5,000, which they say will be used for the flight simulator at the Piper Aviation Museum.
John Gradel, treasurer of the Clinton County Historical Society, was presented with a donation of $2,000.
According to Vilello, the Sons and Daughters of Italy in Lock Haven are the longest continual supporter of the Little League teams, and they were happy to present donations this year amounting to $1,900.
Keshia Conway, Senior Case Manager, and Hope Oishi, Care Navigator of the Clinton County Housing Coalition, were present to accept a donation of $2,000, which Conway says will go towards the shelter operations and supplies needed there.
Jason Walker, President of the Clinton County United Way, and Ashley Rippey, 2nd Vice President, accepted a donation of $5,000.
Jeremy Pearson, Senior Mobile Distribution and Programs Associate at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, was presented with a check for $3,000, which he said is much needed as the demand for assistance with food in the area continues to be high.
Lisa Bangson, Executive Director of the Infant Development Program in Lock Haven, was present to accept a donation of $3,000, which she says will go towards purchasing a minivan to transport children in the program.
The Sons and Daughters of Italy have supported The Millbrook Playhouse over the years, according to lodge President Vilello, and this year is no exception. Ann Marie Hensinger of The Millbrook Playhouse was present to receive a donation of $1,000.
Matthew Wise, President of the Bald Eagle Nittany Valley Kiwanis Club, was present to accept a donation of $2,500, which he says will go towards the Kiwanis Clubs Backpack Program. This program provides homeless children with a backpack stuffed with essential items, books, and other fun items.
Generous donations from the Sons and Daughters of Italy were also given to the Woodward Township Recreation Committee, the Lycoming County Nurses Honor Guard, the Clinton County Hammers Travel baseball team, the Red Cross, Keystone Central School District’s ‘Stop the Bleed’ medical station project, the Salvation Army, and the Ronald McDonald House.
The Loggia Giosue Carducci Lodge No. 146 Sons and Daughters of Italy is located at 1 North Henderson Street in Lock Haven.
