The Sons of Italy Foundation-- the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America® (OSIA), the oldest and largest organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States-- will celebrate their 29th annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala at Washington, D.C.’s Omni Shoreham Hotel on Thursday, May 25 from 6pm -11pm.

Among the special guests attending include the evening’s master of ceremonies, actor Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”); Joseph Cicippio, Iran hostage survivor; and Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The Sons of Italy Foundation will present the 2017 Sons of Italy Foundation National Scholarship recipients. The Foundation will also recognize the accomplishments of the Honorable Jessica Gargola Wright, Major General (Retired) with the Award for Courage and Patriotism; Rear Admiral Margaret DeLuca "Peg" Klein, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Military Professionalism with the National Education & Leadership Award; and Anthony J. Cancelosi, President & Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind with the Humanitarian Award.

Guests will enjoy a grand reception that includes passed hors d'oeuvres, premium dinner selections and a top shelf open bar. Adding to the festive mood will a performances by tenor Michael Amante and opera singer Maria Fassio Pignati.

“The NELA Gala showcases charitable heart of the Italian-American Community,” Dan Long, president of the Order Sons of Italy in America. “We look forward to celebrating the great achievements of our community with a wonderful evening!”

For more information or to obtain a press pass please email Donna Introcaso at [email protected] or call 202.547.8115.

About The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF): The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the oldest and largest organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States.The SIF is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The SIF was founded in 1959 as a private, grant-making institution with the purpose of preserving Italian American culture, encouraging educational excellence among Italian Americans and improving lives in other areas. To date, the SIF has given more than $164 million to these efforts.