To all the members of the Order Sons of Italy in America:
Thank you for this high honor electing me as
the State President of the Grand Lodge of California. Looking back
thirty-nine years ago when I join the Order, I would have never believed
that one day, I would reach the top position of State President. Thanks
to this great country of ours, anyone can achieve the American dream. Yes,
it is a dream come true for me. However, for the last fourteen years
serving the Grand Lodge as an officer, my inspiration was to get to the
top. Now that the members have giveng me the opportunity to lead, I will
do whatever I can to fulfill the expectation, my dear Brothers and
Sisters. Our organization deserves nothing but the best, I will not
settle for anything less. Since it was established 102 years ago in New
York City by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro, the organization has kept its prestige
that benefits us all. The Order has three levels: Supreme Lodge, Grand
Lodge and filial Lodges.
The Supreme Lodge main office is located in Washington, D. C.. There are
twenty Grand Lodges with over 75,000 members nationwide. In the early
years, it assisted immigrants from Italy to obtain jobs and an educations
as well as other needs. Today, with no longer the influx of immigrants
from Europe, the interested and work of the Order has turned to other
needs. Through the Sons of Italy Foundation, funds are collected from the
members and distributed to many charities such as Cooley’s Anemia,
Alzheimer’s Birth Defects Libraries, Red Cross and many others, along
with a very strong scholarship program. Over the years, millions have been
donated not only to the charities, but in scholarships to students. The
Supreme Lodge has established a new membership category, “Member At
Large”, as well as an online membership form. Its C S J branch fights
discrimination and bigotry against Italians on all levels but especially
in the entertainment and media fields.
The Grand Lodge of California was founded by Brother Alfonso Cucibotti in
1925. The Grand Lodge consists of 65 filial lodges with over 7,000
members. The Western Foundation is the charitable arm of the Grand Lodge.
It raises funds to distribute to the recognized charities of the Order.
The filial lodges operate individually but under the jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge. The Enrico Caruso Lodge in Visalia is the largest of the
filial lodges in the Grand Lodge, there are several medium sized lodges as
well as the smaller lodges. Each year, the Grand Lodge holds a
convention rotating the meeting in three districts, north, central and
south. The Grand Lodge is governed by the elected State Officers. Serving
along with the State Officers are the Committees Chairpersons of the
various committees.
I am proud of the Grand Lodge and to serve as your State President.
Fraternally yours,
