Wakefield Sons & Daughters of Italy Enjoy the Chance to Give

It was fun to meet up on a hot night at the cool West Side Social Club. The Lodge discussed plans for some summer activities, including an Essex River cruise, a clam bake and mini golf at Richardson’s. We recognized birthdays and anniversaries. Dinner was enjoyed followed by a traditional summer visit from an ice cream truck!

A highlight of the meeting was hearing from one of our scholarship recipients, Vanessa Ventullo, from Salem, NH. She and her family (members of other Sons & Daughters of Italy lodges) shared her plans to attend UMass Boston in the fall. She will study nursing. Vanessa was encouraged to come back to the Wakefield Lodge in the future and consider joining as well. We had an opportunity to introduce her to the oldest scholarship recipient in the area, Wakefield member and Recording Secretary Carolyn Faria.

We awarded two other scholarships to local Wakefield students, Samantha Bordonaro and Cassidy Silva. Unfortunately, they were unable to attend the July meeting and be recognized. We wish them all much luck in their college endeavors.

Another special guest was Nancy Tolleson of local pet placement organization, PAWS. We learned about the wonderful work the team there does and how the community can support them. Currently they have both cats and kittens looking for fostering or forever homes. The public is encouraged to donate, foster or adopt. Together Lodge members were happy to donate food, litter, toys and money.

To learn more about the Lodge, contact President Toni at WakefieldOSIA@gmail.com. Check out our Facebook page for photos from the July meeting.