Thank you to all our distinguished guests, financial and in-kind gift patrons and friends who joined us Sunday, January 29, 2017 for our first American Friends of Italy Gala. Held at Philadelphia’s Ballroom at the Ben, we were thrilled to raise more than $70,000 benefitting our three charities: La Salle Academy, Variety-the Children’s Charity and Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.

Scrumptious food was brilliantly overseen by Executive Chef Nunzio Patruno, of Nunzio Ristorante Rustico and restaurateur Franco Faggi of Fiorino Cucina Italiana. The dance floor was packed thanks to the tunes of the eight-piece Slippery Band. The musical evening also featured the operatic talents of lyric spinto soprano Priscilla Coblentz. Both live and silent auctions featured a huge variety of enticing gifts. The gala was truly an evening to remember and a success for those children’s charities for which we serve.

Thomas J. Knox was honored as Patron of the Year. A life-long resident of the Philadelphia area, Mr. Knox’s career highlights include founder and Chairman of Homestead Smart Health Plans; Chairman and CEO of INDECS; Chairman of Akers Biosciences, Inc.; Chairman of ORB Automotive Corporation; and President and CEO of Knox Investment Group. Mr. Knox was also a candidate for governor of Pennsylvania in 2010 and also ran for mayor in 2007.