“As you are aware, due to COVID-19, these have been challenging times for everyone,” Johnston resident George Lazzareschi Jr. reiterated when he stepped to the podium Monday night. “People have lost their jobs, become ill and businesses have closed, but the Italo-American Club remained strong.”

So strong, in fact, the proud social club – which is located at 477 Broadway in Providence and dates back to its founding in 1896 – added yet another chapter to its illustrious history in form of presenting an extraordinary, record-setting $14,000 in college scholarships.