Abreanna Blose
| Reporter assisted by AI
The Greater Rockford Italian American Association will host its annual Italian Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Award Dinner on Oct. 4.
The event will take place at the Venetian Club, 2180 Elmwood Road. The evening will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation of awards, according to a community announcement.
Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at griaa.org or by emailing Michele Fandel at atthetropics11@gmail.com.
Michael Maffioli will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, while the LaSala family will receive a Special Recognition Award for Volunteerism.
The awardees will also be honored at the annual Columbus Day Mass at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1010 Ferguson St. A short ceremony will follow in the church’s Memory Garden, which is open to the public. For more information on the Mass and ceremony, call 815-871-7789.
According to the announcement, the GRIAA’s annual banquet recognizes Rockford-area Italian Americans who have made contributions to the community. Nominations are submitted by the community, and honorees are selected by the GRIAA Hall of Fame Committee each year. The Italian Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Awards honor individuals for their achievements in various fields, including arts, sports, business and military service.
This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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