The Ulster County Italian American Foundation (UCIAF) proudly announces the 2021 recipients of their Annual Educational and Community Grants.

Anna Brett, the Educational Awards Chairperson, and her committee selected the following winners for the annual $750 award: Jordan Carbone, Marlboro, H.S.; Joseph Ciardi, Kingston H.S.; Alaina Cupo, Highland H.S.; Cambria D’Aprile, Onteora H.S.; Gregory Marcinik, Wallkill H.S.; Margo Picuri, Rondout Valley H.S., Lauryn Ronk, New Paltz H.S., and Charlie Ann Sasso, Saugerties H.S. The Foundation has been awarding these grants for the last six years to Ulster County High School Seniors who are planning on attending a 2- or 4-year college in the fall.

In addition to the Educational Awards, UCIAF will award 5 $500 Community Grants to a group of outstanding Ulster County not-for-profit organizations. The 2021 recipients are: Angel Food East, Boy Scouts of America/Rip Van Winkle Council, Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL), and the Ulster Literacy Association.  This grant program is in it’s second year and is part of the Foundation’s Community Care Program.

Since its inception in June of 2015, UCIAF has in total awarded $38,500 in Educational Awards, $5000 for Community Grants, and approximately $8,000 in Community Care donations.

Both these awards and grants will be given out at the Thursday, June 29^th Membership Meeting at the HITS Pavilion in Saugerties, NY starting at 6 PM. This dinner, catered by Diamond Mills costs $37.50 per seat and is open to the public. Reservations can be made at www.uciaf.org.

From Les Lombardi, UCIAF President, “We are very excited to meet again as a group in person and continue to support our community. The Educational Awards have been part of our Foundation since the beginning and the Community Grants have added another dimension. We look forward to a great evening”.

UCIAF is an all-volunteer 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit foundation dedicated to preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich Italian American culture of Ulster County and support our community. Membership is open to men and women of Italian Heritage and currently numbers around 300. For dinner reservations, more information about our organization, and our numerous upcoming activities, please visit www.uciaf.org.

For further information contact: Les Lombardi, UCIAF President

lombardiles@gmail.com 914-388-9652

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