30th Annual Il Leone di San Marco awards luncheon set

The Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of the Bronx and Westchester will continue a great tradition in 2009 as they honor members of the Italian-American community.

On Sunday, April 26, the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee will hold the 30th Annual Champagne Luncheon for the presentation of Il Leone di San Marco Awards.

The late Dolores Magnotta and the late Betty Santangelo founded Il Leone di San Marco Awards in 1980 to honor outstanding Italian-Americans.

“These are people who use their talents and performances to represent the best in Italian-American culture,” said committee president, Patricia Santangelo.

In the area of Medicine, Francis Area, M.D. will be honored for his distinguished work as an Oncologist and his extensive research on Ovarian Cancer.

As president of the Italian Language Inter-Cultural Alliance, Vincenzo Marra was the perfect candidate to receive the award for Italian Culture.

In the Performing Arts category, famed actress Susan Lucci will be honored for her years of performance both on screen and on Broadway, as well as being actively involved in Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, a not-for-profit organization servicing children, families and disabled adults.

For the Music Award, Dion DiMucci is honored for his accomplished career in the industry, which includes 12 gold records, over 32 million albums sold worldwide, and for being an active participant in fundraisers to assist with homeless medical relief.

Accepting the Sonny Grosso Law Enforcement Award will be Diana Pizzuti, Assistant Chief in the NYPD.

In addition to the elegant meal and exciting award presentation, there will be musical performances by Giada Valenti, Luigi Moneta, Julian Sage and Gayle Scott.

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. through 3 p.m. at the Davenport Club, located 400 Davenport Avenue in New Rochelle.

For additional information email italianheritageandculture@gmail.com.

Il Leone di San Marco awards