The Tri-State Italian-American Congress held its annual scholarship award prayer service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York on November 29th, 2018.
Tri-State donated $80,000 towards scholarships to 100 students of Italian-American descent attending Catholic academies and schools in Brooklyn and Queens, New York.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio distributed scholarship award certificates to each student present. “Today we recognize the value of Catholic education and many people have helped raise money to help so many children,” he said. “This is an early Christmas gift, but probably only the parents see it that way,” the bishop said. “The whole point is to keep our children in Catholic schools… We want children in Catholic schools so I tell all the children to tell their friends in public schools to come and look at our schools. Who knows? Maybe there is a scholarship for them too.”
Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development, spent time getting to know the children before the service. He said, “This money really makes the difference of being able to keep the children in our schools. We celebrate the students and their efforts. $100,000 was allotted to the diocese and that money is able to go such a long way to help so many deserving families.”
The Tri-State Italian American Congress is led by its President Louis Vele, Vice President Richard DeSimone, Treasurer/Executive Director Ralph A. Contini, CPA, and Secretary Anthony Bertrami. Philip Del Prete is the Chairman of the Board Director, which is integrated by Hon. John A. Barone, Thomas Barresi, Vincent P. Brana, Robert Errico, William Fani, George Greco, Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr., Ralph J. Martucci, Edward P. Salzano, Louis Scagnelli, Angelo Tigri and Steve Vasilikos.
