The Sons of Italy was founded in 1905 with the primary purpose of offering assistance to Italian immigrants in their adjustment to a new life in the United States of America. It also served to preserve the Italian culture and heritage as these immigrants, many who had left their families and loved ones, integrated into a new and strange society to make a better life for themselves and their families. Today, many of us are the descendants of these immigrants.
Happily, this same organization continues to exist today. People from all walks of life, for the most part, have replaced the immigrants. Our focus has also changed; our primary goal is to perpetuate the Italian culture and heritage. We also would like the Italian American to know and understand their Italian history and to be aware of the 'Island of Tears' as Ellis Island was called. To understand the fear experienced as families were separated for life and some members sent back to Italy.
Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is the oldest and largest association of American Men and Women of Italian Decent in the United States. OSIA maintains a National Office in Washington DC and presently there are 21 State Charters with a total of 750 filial lodges. Membership offers the opportunity to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation of Italian heritage, culture and customs. We need to increase our numbers so that we can effectively be represented in a positive image in our modern society. This can be accomplished through involvement in community, charitable, educational, cultural and social activities. In most areas Italians celebrate Columbus Day which enables them to share with other ethnic groups, the Italian culture. A supportive community ensures a heightened cultural awareness.
It is the goal of the Grand Lodge of the Northwest to develop discussion groups, Italian language classes and Italian Folk dances as well as other cultural programs. In 1996, the National Order granted over $600,000.00 in scholarships. The goal of all fraternal organizations must be the constant enrollment of members if we are to survive. We invite you to be a part of this worthy organization.
You have a standing invitation to visit a lodge (Directory) of your choice, attend our annual Italian Heritage Fair or contact any one of the State Vice-Presidents for additional information.
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- Southern District: Vancouver WA, Eugene OR, Portland OR
Terry Babin, State 1st Vice President
- Central District: Aberdeen, Bremerton, Olympia, Port Angeles, Tacoma
Fred Morley, State 2nd Vice President (253) 851-3305
- Northern District: Bellingham, Burien, Marysville, Seattle, Shoreline
Andy Bevilacqua, State 3rd Vice President 206.246.4988
- Eastern District: Cle Elum, Spokane, Wenatchee, Yakima
Donald Dean Picicci State 4th Vice President (509) xxx-xxxx
- Cascade Foothills District: Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Renton
Rosetta Beyersdorf, State 5th Vice President
The Northwest Italian News is sent to the household of each member of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) - Grand Lodge of the Northwest (GLNW).
The (printed) newsletter is published 10 times a year and is delivered to more than 1,425 households (United States and Canada). The combined membership, advertiser, and courtesy copy readership base is over 2,000.
NWIN Advertising Contact the NWIN editor to place an ad in our newsletter
Non-Members Request a copy of the NWIN Special Version
NWIN Reporters Submit your lodge report or article via e-mail
Members
Download a copy of the latest issue of Northwest Italian News. You will need to use the member password, and have a PDF document Reader. Free Readers include, Adobe Acrobat Reader, PDF-XChange Viewer and Foxit Reader.
Full Version Section 1 Section 2
I Am an Italian/American Italian Fun Facts
The History of Pasta in Italy The History of Pizza
The Story of the Peanut Christmas In Italy
The Bridge at the Messina Strait Patria e Onore
First Grand Lodge State Convention Vincenzo Sellaro
Creativity, Inventors, Italians, and the Fourth of July 2003
Santa Lucia Movie and Traditions for Her Feast Day
Inaugural Address by Vincenzo Sellaro, M.D.
The 1905 Founding of the Order Sons of Italy in America.
Stories of Columbus by Richard L. Pastega of Camelia-Colombo Lodge 1294
Columbus - I Columbus - II Columbus - III Columbus - IV Columbus - V Columbus - VI
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ORDER SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA - GRAND LODGE OF THE NORTHWEST
11500 Pinehurst Way NE, Apt. 202
Seattle, WA 98125
State President, Diane Scillo
phone: 206-361-7566 | email: dscillo@comcast.net
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