Italian Consul in Detroit Paola Allegra Baistrocchi recently conferred the honor of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, upon Sandra DiNatale Tornberg. The award ceremony took place on September 26 at an event in conjunction with the LoveITDetroit installation organized by the Italian Consulate together with the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan. 

Consul Baistrocchi cited Sandra’s many activities to promote Italian culture, and thanked her for her role in helping to make LoveITDetroit a success. Sandra is a member of the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan, the ANFE Light of Life Foundation, The Italian American Club of Livonia, and the Federazione Abruzzese del Michigan. 

She was on the Board of Directors of the Italian American Cultural Society, serving as treasurer and the first female president. She is a member of the National Italian American Foundation, serving as area coordinator for Michigan. In addition, she serves as a correspondent to We the Italians, communicating information about events in the Italian American community in Michigan. 

Sandra was surprised and grateful to receive the honor, noting that she had been present to see many deserving people receive it before her. She thanked her husband and daughter, Donald and Samantha Tornberg, and son-in-law Michael Ricciardello, for supporting her efforts. Sandra said that it was especially meaningful to receive the award from Consul Baistrocchi, who has already made a lasting impact on the Italian community in the year she has been in Detroit. Sandra expressed that she looks forward to collaborating with the Consul on many future initiatives.