Sons of Italy holds second meeting

For the second time, Italian-Americans proud of their heritage and culture came together at the Order Sons of Italy (OSIA) meeting in Howard Beach.
More than just a social organization, OSIA is a community-minded group whose “number one goal is to promote Italian culture and heritage” through outreach, including contributing to charities such as Cooley’s Anemia, Alzheimer’s, Autism, and various other programs. They even have a gift of sight program and a bone marrow registry.
Those in attendance at the meeting at Our Lady of Grace (OLG) were given an overview of OSIA, asked to think about choosing a name for this new lodge, set an annual dues amount, and were asked to think about becoming officers. With nearly the required amount of applicants necessary to start a lodge, a charter is expected to be signed at the next meeting, which will be held on Thursday, December 9, in the convent (back entrance) of OLG at 7:30 p.m.
Membership in the 105-year-old organization is easy and is open to men and women over 18. Italians or their spouses can become full members; non-Italians are eligible for social membership. There’s even an OSIA singles group.
For more information, visit www.nysosia.org or contact Eleanor Panzarella-Jobbagy at 516-358-9151 or Rosemary Ciulla-Frisone at 917-734-2411.