MILLE GRAZIE AWARDS PRESENTED AT BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE
July 9, 2003, Bloomfield, NJ -- Bloomfield College and the Anti-Bias Committee of UNICO National hosted the third annual Mille Grazie Awards Program on Tuesday, June 24 in the College’s Robert V. Van Fossan Theatre.
The Mille Grazie Award is given in appreciation to individuals, institutions or companies that have been instrumental in helping to foster a positive image of Italian-Americans, or who have shown themselves to be a friend to the Italian-American community.
This year’s awards were presented to: Paul Alongi, Past President of UNICO National; Barilla, Italian Food Company; Tony De Nonno, TV producer, writer, director, and songwriter; Laura Savini of WLIW-21 New York Public Television; and the Italian and Italian-American Heritage Commission.
Paul Alongi has been involved with UNICO for more than 46 years. He served as President of the Bloomfield Chapter before becoming National President in 1975. During his administration, he established the Anti-Bias Committee, then known as the Human Relations Committee. Presently, he serves as President of the Garden State Concert Band, President of the Bloomfield Civic Band, President of the Holy Name Society of St. Thomas, Secretary for the Financial Committee and Social Chairman for St. Thomas, and Originator/Advisor to the Circle of Friends – an organization dedicated to improving the lives of young adults with Down Syndrome.
Barilla, an Italian food company, is best known for its top selling brand of pasta, which commands 15 percent of the U.S. market. The company is led by Paul D. Davis, who is responsible for all activities of the company’s U.S. operations. Prior to joining Barilla America in October 2001, Davis was President North America for Starbucks Coffee Company, where he led the company through a major simplification process that enabled exponential growth. Previously, Mr. Davis was the President of Hostess Frito-Lay Canada, where he led the $1 billion retail sales division growing profits over 20 percent and cash flow by 70 percent.
Tony De Nonno has produced, written, and directed more than 40 award-winning documentary films for audiences worldwide. In more than a dozen TV productions, De Nonno has celebrated the traditions, legacy and vast contributions individuals of Italian descent have made to America and the world. His films have appeared on almost every major American television network including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, HBO, and PBS, and have won numerous awards at the American, New York, London, Los Angeles, Australian and San Francisco Film Festivals. One of his most fulfilling achievements is serving as the Director of the Italic Institute of America’s Aurora: an Italian language and culture scholarship program for children.
Laura Savini is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for WLIW-21 New York Public Television. She is a familiar face as the host of the station’s on-air fundraising campaigns and weekly interview program “Metro Guide.” WLIW’s commitment to ethnic programming, with an emphasis on Italian-American productions, has provided the opportunity for her to become closely associated and involved with the Italian-American community. She was the past president of the National Organization of Italian American Women and is a frequent speaker at other service and social organizations in New York City and Long Island. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Italian American Museum.
The New Jersey Italian American Heritage Commission raises public awareness of the rich and varied culture, positive achievements and traditions of Italy, the Italian people, and Italian-Americans. The Commission engages in the development, support and production of educational programs, seminars, publications and exchanges for schools and audiences throughout the state. The Commission brings recognition to Italian accomplishments that have improved the quality of life for all, be it in the sciences, jurisprudence, the fine and performing arts, technology, medicine, literature, philosophy, trade, and commerce.
UNICO National is the nation’s largest Italian-American service
organization, and counts among its missions the preservation and propagation
of Italian-American culture and heritage. The Anti-Bias Committee of UNICO
National works with other Italian-American organizations to actively oppose
the negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans.
