NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The date of the next meeting will be determined at a later date. 

Membership Information here

January 2021 Newsletter available here

CIAO SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER

CIAO spreads holiday cheer! Earlier this week, Dr. John Ryan coordinated the delivery of Panettone to all Nursing Stations at Auburn Community Hospital. Thank you to all frontline workers from CIAO! Buon Natale! CIAO members were met at the door to hand off the holiday packages for delivery to nursing stations in the hospital.

Pictured are Pam Harvey, Dr. Ryan and Paolo Saltarello preparing the panettone for delivery, with photography and additional help by Anna Saltarello. Delivery to the hospital included Dr. Ryan, Paul Saltarello, Tony Gucciardi and photographer Felix Mucedola.

COLUMBUS DAY FLAG RAISING

October 12, 2020

The Cultural Italian American Organization held a flag raising ceremony at the Christopher Columbus monument in Auburn. The Stars and Stripes was raised to “The Star Spangled Banner,” as the Tricolor flag was also raised to the Italian national hymn, “Fratelli d’Italia.”

As in many cities of the USA, many Italian organizations commemorate Columbus Day with events such as CIAO’s annual Testimonial Dinner, at which we honor a local person for their dedication to the betterment of the community. Due to these difficult times during the pandemic, CIAO postponed this event until 2021.

The flag raising took place by the Christopher Columbus monument erected in 1992 by the St. Francis Parish in Auburn, honoring the early Italian immigrants who settled in Auburn.

Participants were Tony Gucciardi, Vito Charella, Dick Paulino, Paul Saltarello, Paul Vitale, and Tony Tesoro.

HELPING THE COMMUNITY - SUMMER 2020

CIAO Cuccina Crew was busy this summer with several events. On July 31 and August 28, we made CIAO's traditional pizza fritte for the children who attended the summer camp at Booker T. Washington in Auburn. 

We also once again helped the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park, located on the New York State Thruway, with their fundraiser on September 3, by again making and selling our traditional Pizza Fritte; all net proceeds were given to the park.

Petition to keep the

Columbus Monument in Syracuse, NY

The link below will take you to a page where you can sign a petition to keep the Columbus Monument in Syracuse. New York. 

Pettition to Keep Columbus Monument in Syracuse, NY

2020 CIAO Scholarship winners

Due to donations received at the free Pasta Dinner recently held, CIAO was able to fund three scholarships this year; typically we award two. 

Congratulations to this year's scholarship winners, Tyburn Academy senior Elisa Faiola, Auburn High School senior Caroline Netti, and Union Springs High School senior Zachary DeCaro. They were each presented with a $500 check from CIAO. To read their winning essays, visit the Scholarship Info page. 

"Pizza Fritte" stand - Rosalie's Cuccina parking lot

Memorial Day weekend

Thank you for you support!

CIAO Gives Back to the Community

IMPORTANT NOTE:

SAN GIUSEPPE FEST and MEMBER BUS TOUR HAVE BEEN CANCELLED

FOR 2020

Another successful Pasta and Game Night! 

Wonderful food and friendship at our annual Pasta and Game Night!

Congratulations to SIxth Annual Christopher Columbus

Recognition Dinner Honoree

Melina Carnicelli

"C.I.A.O.", the Cultural Italian American Organization, was formed to promote and enhance Italian American Heritage and Culture in Cayuga County, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York state.C.I.A.O.'s motto is culture and caritas (charity) and to recognize Italian American achievements in our community.

We have grown and hosted several successful events since our first official meeting in June, 2014. We will continue to host different traditional events during the year ahead, and invite you to join our group!

We are also on Facebook; Like our page below for updates.