An Open Letter of Thanks to Our Order Sons of Italy Family
January 20, 2017
Dear Friends,
A Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your families. I just wanted to take a few moments to give you a special “thank you” from the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation (CAF).
For over 40 years, you have been the “rock and backbone” of CAF, supporting us, both financially and emotionally, all this time. You have heard me say many times that CAF could not do what it does without you, and that is not opinion, but simple fact, as your contributions to CAF over those 40 plus years exceed $2,5000,000.
The research that you have helped support has allowed our patients to gain many years of life. It has also enabled them to experience simple and basic life events that would not have been thinkable years ago. So your impact and effort is immeasurable and is appreciated more than you know.
I want to thank current National President, Daniel J. Longo, for continuing the tradition of keeping CAF as OSIA’s #1 charity. I also want to express my gratitude to current and immediate past National CAF Chairpersons, Joseph and Joan Rondinelli, for all their tireless efforts in helping to fundraise and to spread the word about CAF and its patients. And I also must acknowledge the support of Joseph DiTrapani, the Sons of Italy Foundation President.
On a local level, in my home state of New York, I want to thank current NYS President, Carolyn Reres, for not only being a friend to CAF for her term as State President, but for the support of our patients that she has displayed for many years. I would also like to acknowledge current NYS CAF Chairperson, Mary Naccarato, and her Co-Chair, Mildred Mancusi, for their outstanding fundraising efforts that have made NYS the #1 OSIA state supporter of CAF.
While I have mentioned individual people who currently hold Officer positions, there have been many past Officers and members of OSIA, both nationally and on a local level, who have given of themselves in helping to support CAF and its patients, so please accept our heartfelt thanks as well.
The best way to honor such commitment is to be a part of such a great organization. In that regard, I am proud to say that my wife, Susan, and I have for several years been members of the Giovanni Caboto Lodge, located in Bellmore, NY. Thank you to current Lodge President, Josephine Capriola and immediate Past Lodge President, her husband Anthony, for making Susan and I feel like family.
CAF patients are living long, are living better, are experiencing simple life events, etc. It is not perfect, as there is still more work to be done, but we certainly could not be “boasting” what we are stating now, in 2017, if not for the effort and love that OSIA has bestowed upon CAF. For that we are eternally grateful and we look forward to continuing the fight of “kissing our children goodnight, not goodbye.”
With love,
Anthony J. Viola, CAF National President