AMHS Joins CISC Founders, To Sponsor Vespa Rally

By Ray LaVerghetta,

AMHS President The Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society (AMHS) has become a member of the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center (CISC) Capital Founders Fund. AMHS membership, as represented by those attending our January 27th General Meeting, unanimously approved a decision by the AMHS Executive Committee to join the Founders.

The Capital Founders Fund is a group of committed individuals or organizations who have donated or pledged at least $5,000 to CISC, as the latter begins a new phase of its history and broadens its influence in the Italian and Italian-American communities. Joining the CISC Capital Founders Fund will have positive consequences for both the AMHS and the CISC.

The renovated facilities and expanded programs of the CISC will benefit the collective community of Italians and Italian-Americans in Washington, D.C., of which we are a part. For the CISC, having a committed supporter in its camp, working with likeminded individuals and organizations, will help to ensure the vitality of its role and programs going forward.

The AMHS sees its Capital Founders status as a way to give back to Casa Italiana for its hospitality over the years, as a way to support and sustain CISC’s new programs and projects, and as a way to cement our relationship with CISC as the two organizations move forward in the coming years. As you may know, the Vespa Committee of Washington, D.C. is organizing the Vespa Rally (Raduno) for 2019.

It will take place the weekend of September 20-22 at the CISC and surrounding area. The AMHS is now an official sponsor of the rally and will have a special role to play in one of its events: the presentation in honor of Corradino Ascanio, who designed the Vespa in 1946 and who was born in Popoli, province of Pescara, in Abruzzo. The presentation will occur at the Crespelle breakfast at Casa Italiana on Saturday morning.

The rally will also include a welcome reception on Friday evening, featuring an arrosticini barbecue and drinks, Kennedy Center “Reach” concerts, and, of course, Vespa rides. It looks to be a fun weekend, in which the AMHS will also hold its September General Meeting. So be sure to mark your calendars! ❚