We are pleased to inform you that Italidea-Midwest Ltd.'s annual fund raising event will take place on Thursday evening, November 13th, 2014 at 6:00 PM the at the beautiful Transceramica Showroom in Chicago. This year, we are very pleased and excited to be collaborating with L'Osservatorio per la Lingua Italiana of Chicago ("L'Osservatorio"). We will be setting some rather ambitious goals to support our missions; but, we are sure that with the generous support of individuals and businesses in our community, such as you, we will be able to meet and exceed our goals. Of course, the proceeds of this event will be dedicated to the promotion the Italian culture and language in public and private schools K-12 in Chicago and the Midwest. In addition, proceeds will also be used to support the AP Italian language program and exam.

As you know, your financial support is extremely important to our organizations as we rely on donations to provide services in the community that are greatly needed. Our ability to continue to operate is due in large part to the generous support of individual donors who believe in our missions, as well as donations and gifts from local businesses and corporations.

About Italidea-Midwest.

Italidea-Midwest is dedicated to the education of tomorrow's leaders by exposing children and young adults to the Italian language and the finest traditions of Italian culture. Italidea-Midwest's mission is to promote the study of Italian language and culture by, among other things, expanding curricular instruction of Italian in private and public schools, providing grants, developing programs and course materials, organizing workshops and seminars for the professional development of teachers of Italian at all levels, and by offering afterschool programs to Italian children. Working closely with the Education Office of the Italian Consulate in Chicago and the Italian government, to date, Italidea-Midwest has been able to support over 9,000 students, 58 schools and 82 teachers in the Midwest. Italidea-Midwest is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of promoting the Italian culture and language in public and private schools K-12 in Chicago and the Midwest. Programs (a) are made possible by your support and grants by the Italian Government and (b) operate under the supervision of the Education Office of the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago. Our goals are to initiate, fund and maintain new projects designed to increase the number of schools, students and Italian language teachers, and to build lasting and meaningful relationships with the schools, administrators and faculty that we serve.

About L'Osservatorio.

L'Osservatorio is a Committee formed for the specific purpose of promoting the AP Italian Program and exam and supporting efforts of the Italian Consulate in expanding the level of participation in the AP exam, opening new Italian classes at the AP level, giving monetary awards to students taking the AP Italian exam, and offering scholarships for teachers to attend AP Italian training workshops, and certifying talented teachers of the Italian language. The education and certification of qualified Italian teachers is key to the mission of assuring that the Italian language and Italian language courses continue to flourish in local schools and the community.

L'Osservatorio has worked diligently towards this goal and has joined with Italidea-Midwest in a concerted effort to continue to maintain a vibrant teaching community. Italidea-Midwest's annual fund raiser event attracts more attendees each year; but, we depend on the continued support of our friends and the business community, as well as new contributors and donors. By giving to this annual event, you'll be supporting the missions of Italidea-Midwest and L'Osservatorio and assuring the vitality of Italian programs in Chicago Area schools and the Midwest for years to come . We ask that you consider a generous monetary contribution or an in-kind donation for our raffle and silent auction. Your contribution/donation will be greatly appreciated and will be recognized as set forth in the attached informational material.

We hope that we can count on you to help support our cause. You may be contacted in the next several days to discuss a possible contribution. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please feel free to contact us by email or contact the Italidea-Midwest Board member or L'Osservatorio committee member listed below. Thank you in advance for your consideration! We look forward to having the pleasure of your company on November 13.

Sincerely,

ITALIDEA-MIDWEST, LTD.

L'OSSERVATORIO PER LA LINGUA ITALIANA of CHICAGO

Italidea-Midwest Board Contact: Emanuela Zanotti Carney, PhD., President

[email protected]

L'Osservatorio Committee Contact: Lyn Scolaro

[email protected]