The newly crowned honorary royal of the Peninsula Italian American Social Club has more ties to the organization than just her Italian heritage. Longtime Peninsula mother, teacher and community servicewoman Patricia Ercoli Matthews has deep connections to the club’s mission in supporting education, hospice and Italian pride.

On Saturday, the social club will hold its annual celebration of Columbus Day with its Genovese Night Dinner Dance at the club’s headquarters on B Street in downtown San Mateo. Matthews and longtime Christopher Columbus stand-in John Buonocore will preside over the dinner, with all proceeds going to charity. On Sunday, Matthews will be driven in a vintage convertible in the San Francisco Columbus Day Parade.