Italian American Community
Making a Difference
The various Italian American groups throughout Michigan have supported St. Louis Center in major ways. From putting on events in the community, volunteering, and giving generously, they have been important and notable supporters of the Center’s mission.
Read more below about how their events and giving have made an impact on the St. Louis Center residents.
Italian American Events to Benefit St. Louis Center
Antonio G Vittorini Memorial Golf Outing
The Italian American Cultural Society presents a day of golf to memorialize their friend, Antonio G Vittorini. A portion of the proceeds were donated to St. Louis Center in 2022.
This event was created in 1997 to encourage father and son camaraderie. Dedicated and long-time supporter Mike Chirco and Joe Maniaci are credited with organizing the event with the help of friend, Sam Cottone.
Randazzo Men’s Social
Hosted by Randazzo Fresh Market, the evening includes gourmet food, craft beers, wine and liquor, cigars, music, and showing of the night’s NFL game. It’s a great night of fellowship, food, and football for the guys!
Guardian Angel Fall Harvest Festival
The Italian American Club of Livonia presents an afternoon event featuring a gourmet meal, drinks, music, dancing, raffles, and prize drawing, all to benefit St. Louis Center.
Italian Dinner Night
The Italian American Club of Lansing invited guests for “una sera Italian” – a night of authentic Italian cuisine and music entertainment by Pino Marelli.
Charity Gala Night
Hosted by the Federazione Abruzese Del Michigan, this afternoon event includes a cocktail hour, an authentic Italian dinner, and an auction with great items.
Every year, the larger Italian community from Macomb County visits St. Louis Center with Santa, providing breakfast and presents to the residents.
Articles about St. Louis Center
Read stories about the Center and the Italian American community, published by Italian publications!
St. Louis Center Received $100k During Farewell Gathering
(As seen in the Italian Tribune and the Italian American.) Fr. Joseph Rinaldo is retiring from St. Louis Center. Fr. Joe, originally from Italy, will be spending his retirement years at Don Guanella in Bari, Italy.
Fr. Joseph was assigned to St. Louis Center for the first time in 1980, discovering a facility with many needs. Since then, Fr. Joe has served in many capacities at St. Louis Center including as CEO, as well as the Superior of USA Vice-Province and Treasurer of the Servants of Charity and Treasurer of the Servants of Charity Divine Providence Province. At the start of his mission at the Center, he began looking for creative ways to provide for the needs of the people who called St. Louis Center home. New construction began, and St. Louis Center as we know it today began to take shape. Read the full story here.
Christmas Memories from Italy
(As seen in the Italian Tribune and the Italian American.) During the Christmas season, we spend a lot of time decorating our homes and choosing the perfect gift for our family members, especially for our children and grandchildren. Many childhood memories are stirred by the celebration.
Memories from my own childhood come to mind from the small Italian village I was raised in. The bagpipers, ‘gli zampognari,’ would come to town and give the signal that Christmas was at hand. They were dressed in a typical fashion: wearing ciocie (sandals once worn by peasants of Latium and Campania), short knee-length pants, long wool socks, a flannel shirt, a doublet made of sheepskin, and a hat. They went from house to house, playing the pipes, and receiving some food donations for their families. Read the full story here.
Renovations at St. Louis Center
(As seen in the Italian Tribune.) Renovations are underway at St. Louis Center. One of the homes, St. Joseph’s Hall, is receiving some major upgrades to align with the overall concept of the Village at the Center. These upgrades give residents of St. Joseph’s Hall the opportunity to have a place they can call their own but still feel like a part of the community and a part of a family at St. Louis Center. Individuality, dignity, and integration into the larger community were all part of St. Louis Guanella’s vision and service to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
It is because of the Italian American community that these much-needed improvements can happen. Several of the events you plan or attend help fund these kinds of projects. Other various means of support, like donations of money and physical items, also made these plans feasible.
About St. Louis Center
St. Louis Center is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) residential community in Chelsea, MI for individuals with I/DD ages 18 and older.
St. Louis Center is licensed by the State of Michigan and accredited by CARF International, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.
“To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.” – Pope Francis