Gratitude extended to all who donated to Thanksgiving dinner for less fortunate On behalf of the Ragione Club and the volunteers from the Italian Community Center, general chairman Tony Lupo extended a “heartfelt thank you” to all who donated product, money or time and talent to the 38th annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate. The dinner was served on Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Open Door Cafe, a meal site on the campus of St. John’s Cathedral in Milwaukee. “Your input, be it product, monetary or onsite volunteering made the serving of a Thanksgiving feast to the less fortunate a success,” Lupo said. “We served hundreds of people a full complimentary dinner.” Lupo noted that every donation – no matter how large or small –
was greatly appreciated. “From the largest donations of $500 from Jane Gertler and Ted Glorioso and to the one dollar donations, every one helped us to provide a dinner that many of the less fortunate might not otherwise have a chance to enjoy,” he said. Lupo added that Gertler, who was not mentioned in earlier reports in The Italian Times, made her donation in memory of her husband, Dr. Gertler, and the late Sadie Machi, wife of past ICC president Tony Machi. In all, $3,116 was raised for the dinner, which was prepared and delivered to the meal site by the Italian Conference Center staff. In addition to Gertler and
Glorioso, other donors included John Pellmann, Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, Carmello J. Sanfelippo, Anne Marie Costrini, John Fiorenza, Sam Purpero, Pompeii Men’s Club, Pompeii Women’s Club, Sal Quarino, Rose PurperoSpang, William and Rita Jennaro, Phillip and Geraldine Purpero, David Spano, Tony and Barbara Lupo, Anthony and Kathleen Carlson, David and Lonnette Richards, Gina Spang, Thomas and Barbara Balistreri, Theresa Accetta, Tom and Pat Consolazione, Steven M. Taylor and Marissa Gatti-Taylor, Aggie and George Collura, George and Gina Manning, Societå Maria Santissima, Anthony and Adeline Zingale, Ray and Carol Martinez, Grace Gazzana, Mike
Palmisano, Anna Rose San Felippo, Sal and Antonette LoCoco, Queenie and Rosalie Olivia, Anna Pitzo, Joseph Lembo, Joe and Ann Zambito, Frank and Nina Galioto, Sophia Michalovitz, Isidore and Mary Pecoraro, Mary Winard, Christina Ziino, Joseph Dentice, Faye Ann Kessler, Lucy Raimondo and the Italian Conference Center. Another $119 was collected in anonymous cash donors. Lupo also extended thanks to the students of St. Dominic School in Brookfield who volunteered as servers the day of the event. “Thank you to everyone for your generosity. We look forward to your participation in 2014, which will be our 39th year of service,” he said.
Times photos by Joe Spasiano
Here are many of the volunteers who served the Thanksgiving dinner to less fortunate guests at the Open Door Cafe on Nov. 17. Front row, kneeling: John Pellmann, Linda Mohr, Jane Kline, George Collura, Judy Sandvick and Peggy Rooney. Middle row: Aggie Collura, Theresa Accetta,
Mary Foti, Lena Zingale and Barbara Lupo. Back row: Ray Martinez, Carol Martinez, Mary Carlson, Tony Carlson, Francesca Busalacchi, Mike Cardo, Mike Toffler, Tony Lupo, Charlie Zingale, Tony Zingale and Tyler Hromadka.
Ray Martinez, Francesca Busalacchi and Tony Zingale worked on the Thanksgiving feast serving line. Behind Martinez is Charlie Zingale, who served as a runner between the kitchen and the serving line.
George Collura, Tyler Hromadka and general chairman Tony Lupo are seen here with the delicious cupcakes that were served to guests.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
FEBRUARY 2014 – PAGE 9