Mission Statement

Recognizing the incredible impact that our Italian heritage has had on our lives and its contribution to our individual successes, we the Members of the Columbus Citizens Foundation dedicate ourselves to preserving and enhancing the culture, traditions and values we were so blessed to receive. Furthermore, we will commit to honor those that came before us by ensuring that their love of country, family and tireless work ethic are passed to our children and all future generations. We firmly commit to raise and distribute financial aid to educate children in need and pledge to extend ourselves in perpetuating the philanthropic work that has been synonymous with our Foundation.

About Us

The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian-American students through various scholarship and grant programs. The Foundation organizes New York City's annual Columbus Day Parade, which has celebrated Italian-American heritage on New York's Fifth Avenue since 1929.

The Foundation is made up of over 600 Members who are of Italian ancestry and are grateful for the opportunities their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents found as immigrants to the United States. The Foundation’s Members are prominent and successful Italian-Americans in their communities and beyond, who are proud of their heritage and their American citizenship. They are committed to improving the lives of Italian-American students, and their families, by providing scholarship funding that will help the students develop the skills and tools needed to succeed in life.

The Foundation’s most public activity each year is organizing New York City’s Columbus Celebration, including the Columbus Day Parade, which is the largest celebration of Italian-American heritage and achievement in the world. The celebration is organized by the Foundation’s Members on a strictly volunteer basis, donating their time and expertise to help create the Foundation’s Annual Gala Dinner, the wreath laying at Columbus Circle, the Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue.

The Columbus Day Celebration is a series of events that celebrate the culture and traditions of Italy, both in the United States and abroad, and is a fundraising initiative that benefits the Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors, one of which is its scholarship programs and their funding.

Officers Marian U. Pardo President Michael F. Pedone Vice President Anthony F. Giordano Secretary Claudio A. DeVellis Treasurer

Board of Governors Angelo Vivolo     Chairman Michael Arena Lawrence E. Auriana Maria S. Bartiromo Janice Galli Becker John M. Desiderio Geri Di Costanzo Joseph Gurrera Thomas N. Iovino Phyllis Perillo Salvatore M. Salibello Michael D. Sapraicone Dr. Thomas P. Sculco Aldo Verrelli  Richard T. Warus

Ladies Auxiliary Antonia Calabro President Gina Liotti Vice President Eileen Tarantino Secretary Mayy Scotto Treasurer

Young Adults Auxiliary Anthony Zampolin President Michael Ippolito Vice President Joseph Cavera Secretary Stephen Dardis Treasurer

Foundation Staff

Lisa Ackerman Executive Director lackerman@columbuscitizens.org John L. Boden General Manager & Executive Chef jboden@columbuscitizens.org Antonella Recchia Scholarships/Opportunities Director arecchia@columbuscitizens.org Dominique Barreno Scholarship Coordinator dominique@columbuscitizens.org  Ivi Chatzikyriakou Scholarship Assistant ivic@columbuscitizens.org Michelle Santoro Director, of Program Advancement msantoro@columbuscitizens.org Romeo Nesi Dining Room Manager romeo@columbuscitizens.org Gene Raicovich Beverage Manager gene@columbuscitizens.org

Jo Riordan Membership Coordinator jriordan@columbuscitizens.org Deanna Stinziano Controller dstinziano@columbuscitizens.org Alexis Sumpter Receptionist asumpter@columbuscitizens.org Jefferson Wilson Senior Director Marketing & Communications jwilson@columbuscitizens.org Joseph O'Fallon Marketing & Communications Associate jofallon@columbuscitizens.org Maria Wilson Special Events / Banquet Manager mwilson@columbuscitizens.org Marguerite Zappa Assistant to the Executive Director mzappa@columbuscitizens.org

For additional information, or to become a Member, contact our The Columbus Citizens Foundation at ccf@columbuscitizens.org.

More About Us

• Membership
• Philanthropic Achievements
• Our History
• Foundation Townhouse
• Ladies Auxiliary (LAX)
• Young Adults Auxiliary (YAA)

Mission Statement
Recognizing the incredible impact that our Italian heritage has had on our lives and its contribution to our individual successes, we the members of the Columbus Citizens Foundation dedicate ourselves to preserving and enhancing the culture, traditions and values we were so blessed to receive. Furthermore, we will commit to honor those that came before us by ensuring that their love of country, family and tireless work ethic are passed to our children and all future generations. We firmly commit to raise and distribute financial aid to educate children in need and pledge to extend ourselves in perpetuating the philanthropic work that has been synonymous with our Foundation.

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