Hillsborough Recognizes October As Italian-American Heritage Month

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Mayor John Ciccarelli presented members of UNICO with a proclamation recognizing October as Italian-American Heritage Month at the Oct. 14 Township Committee meeting.

"Hillsborough Township’s Italian-American community has contributed greatly to the cultural landscape since the town's earliest days," according to the proclamation.

UNICO, the Italian-American Club, was founded nationally in 1922. Unico is the Italian word for unique, and the acronym stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity.

The Hillsborough chapter of UNICO was founded in 2009 as an Italian-American service organization committed to charitable works, supporting higher education, and performing patriotic deeds under the motto "service above self."

The Hillsborough chapter of UNICO annually awards the Brian Piccolo Scholarship to a Hillsborough High School student, supports the Rotary Fair’s Family Fun Day, and has engaged in many fundraising events to support the community, including organizations such as the Zippy Fund, a charity that supports pediatric cancer patients and their families, and Gigi’s Playhouse.

"During Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, we recognize the rich heritage of Italian-Americans and celebrate their immeasurable contributions to Hillsborough and our nation," said Ciccarelli.