Columbus Day weekend, NYC
Columbus Citizens Foundation’s annual gala/ NYC’s Waldorf Astoria/10/8 was a smash. Over 1,000 attended. Grand Marshall J.J.Plumeri, Chairman & CEO, The Willis Group/ Honorees Robert La Penta, Gen.Partner, Ashton Capital Partners and Stephen Squeri, Group Pres.,Global Services, American Express. were feted.Frank Fusaro, the organization’s president, president. CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo, anchored. Lou Tallarini, Board Chair and Lawrence Auriana, Co-Chair officiated. Pia Toscano,American Idol guest star performed the musical notes. Major sponsors included Delta, Masarati Motor Cars, HSBC,TD Bank
Country Bank Amex, Generoso Pope Foundation, et. al.This year’s message suggested “hope, dreams and education.”
This was followed on 10/9 with an annual Wreath Ceremony at the statue of Christopher Columbus on Broadway’s Columbus Circle.
Ambassador of Italy, Giulio Terzi Di Sant’Agata and Consul General of Italy,Natalia Quintavale presented.
Foundation president Frank G.Fusaro
again officiated.Opening remarks were made by J.A. Guagliardo, Pres./CEO of the National Council of Columbis Associations and George Maragos, Nassau County Comptroller.
The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit org. designed to maintain and preserve Italian heritage here in the U.S. It fosters and promotes cultural events and celebrates Italian
heritage programs throughout the year. It is heavily involved with supporting academic excellence through its scholaship platform through its Adopt-A-Scholar Donors
roster of providers for young students who normally cannot afford a college education.
On Monday, Oct. 10, the foundation kicks-off its annual Columbus Day Parade from 12-3 pm on NYC’s Fifth Avenue. It will be hosted again by Maria Baritromo and Joe Piscopo, on WABC-TV Channel 7 in New York.The parade has been an annual tradition since 1929.
Michael Zufolo, reporting
