Charity

The Grand Lodge of New Jersey participates in many charity events.

• Donating money to charities such as the American Red Cross, Cooley's Anemia Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Alzheimer's Foundation.
• Awards numerous merit-based scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students of Italian descent
• Donates to projects designed to relieve the suffering of victims involved in state and local natural disasters.
• Sponsor youth and adult athletic and recreation teams.

Members of OSIA enjoy many social activities such as formal dinner dances, fashion shows, informal parties, banquets, picnics, travel groups, etc.

Scholarships

The Order of Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the oldest and largest organization representing American men and women of Italian heritage, has long been involved in the promotion of educational excellence through scholarship programs. Since 1968, OSIA has awarded more than $25 million in scholarship at the national level and through its 750 state and local chapters.

In 1999, through the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), OSIA will award numerous merit-based scholarships, including the prestigious Henry Salvatori Scholarship, worth $5,000, and jointly-administered John Cabot University (JCU) Scholarship(s) for study in Rome, in the annual National Leadership Grant Competition (NLGC).

Eligibility for Scholarships: American citizens of Italian descent enrolled as full-time students in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university for the fall academic term of the year of their application (fall 1999) are eligible for the competition. Applications are screened by education professionals. Final selection of winners is made by OSIA's National Education Committee.

The Grand Lodge of New Jersey has presented more than $500,000 in scholarships over the past 15 years. These scholarships are presented by Sons of Italy New Jersey Foundation, Inc., through personal contributions and fund raising activities. All contributions are tax deductible.

These state scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students and college students providing that they are children or grandchildren of members of the Sons of Italy, or the applicants themselves are members of the Order. The competition for these scholarships has become very competitive with many of the applicants scoring over 1450 in the SAT. These scholarships are presented annually at the end of the school year.

As always, the Foundation is constantly seeking donations to the Scholarship Fund. Many members and friends are requesting people to make such donations to the Foundation at the passing of someone dear or for different causes and reasons.

To make a donation please telephone the Grand Lodge office at 1-800-545-6742. We need these contributions to help us recognize the leadership of potential Italian American scholars.

Commission for Social Justice

Grace Olivo, Chairperson

MISSION STATEMENT

adopted 11/04 Plenary Session in San Francisco

The Commission for Social Justice (CSI) is the anti-defamation arm of Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the oldest and largest national organization for men and women of Italian descent in the United States.

It was founded in 1979 to promote the equal treatment, respect, freedom and opportunity for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age or sex and works with other groups to achieve these goals.

The CSJ is dedicated to eliminating false and prejudicial stereotypes of Italian Americans promoted by the United States entertainment, advertising, and news industries and strives to replace these stereotypes with true and positive representations of Italian Americans, their history, heritage and contributions to society.

To achieve these ends:

• Through its Communications Program, the CSJ regularly informs the media and general public about Italian-American issues, achievements, contributions, history and culture.
• As part of its Positive Image Program, the CSJ conducts research and produces studies on Italian-American history and contributions. It also creates teaching tools, pamphlets, kits, exhibits and other materials on Italian-American heritage.
• The CSJ conducts grassroots campaigns at community, state, and national levels that support cultural and social issues of importance to Italian Americans.
• Joining the Commission for Social Justice

To directly support the Commission for Social Justice's campaign against defamation and discrimination and to support positive image programs, you may send your donations to the New Jersey CSJ, 510 Marlboro Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.

Cultural Activities

One of the many objectives of the Order is to promote Italian culture and highlight contributions of Italians in America. The Grand Lodge of New Jersey and its filial lodges accomplish this objective through a host of programs.

• Participating in community Italian cultural programs.
• Sponsoring "A Night at the Opera"
• Helping to sponsor student exchange programs.
• Helping to promote the formation of Italian culture clubs in local high schools.
• Establishing and promoting lectures, films, and book discussion groups.
• Offering Italian language classes and classes teaching Italian folk dances.
• Sponsoring local Columbus Day Celebrations and other activities.

All of the filial lodges address the cultural aspect of the Order. They seek and select people and/or organizations to make presentations fostering the rich hertitage we Italians possess.

The latest and most successful venture completed by the Order was the printing of a Cookbook which included recipes submitted by all members from across the State. The book is presently in its second printing. cookbook order form at bottom of page

OSIA offers a very active charitable, cultural, and calendar intended to amplify the knowledge of Italian culture locally and nationally.

The Herald

The Herald is the official publication of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. The Herald newspaper is a collaboration of news from all of the different local lodges. It also posts news involving the Commission for Social Justice (CSJ) and the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF).

The Herald paper has four issues for every year and updates members of OSIA on local or national OSIA news. Local lodges frequently submit articles to the Herald containing approaching social, cultural, and athletic events. Many lodges publish their latest charitable donations and their future plans. The Grand Lodge of New Jersey submits a list of new members for every issue and posts articles containing information of future State and National Conventions. Every issue of the Herald contains a Chaplain's Message and the President's Message.

For more information please call 1-800-545-OSIA