The San Gennaro Foundation - Charitable Programs

• Helping Those in Need
• Giving Back to the Community
• Providing for the Children

Fast Facts

• During 2003, the SGF established itself as a formal charitable organization, creating and implementing charitable programs that positively affected hundreds of children and families.
• During 2006 alone, it raised more than $200,000 for its own charitable programs, mainly oriented towards youth and feeding efforts, and dedicated a portion of it towards supporting other charitable organizations.
• During the 2006 Festival, the SGF Outreach Program provided the Los Angeles community (for the 5th year in a row) with a three-day cultural and family-oriented event with top-rated entertainment.  An event worth more than $750,000 (offered free-of-charge to the entire community), the Festival attracted more than 100,000 visitors during its duration.
• SGF, with the support of Pontiac, bestowed more than $35,000 in college and back-to-school scholarships.
• With the collaboration of Sorrento Lactalis, the SGF provided over $75,000 worth of cheese donations to different feeding charities and organizations.

Cultural Exchange & Outreach Booth

• “The Precious Cheese Feast of San Gennaro, Los Angeles, presented by Ralphs”
  
  The Precious Cheese Feast of San Gennaro LA presented by Ralphs brings three days of first-class entertainment and cultural exhibits to the Los Angeles community. Performances, Book Readings, Fashion Shows, Opera, Classical Music, Marching Bands, Cooking Demonstrations, Games, Rides, Bocce, Bingo, Language Classes, Grape Stomps, Strolling Musicians, Dancing, Italian Plays, Lectures, Genealogy Booths, Kid’s Activity Corner, Art Exhibits, Business Forum, Car Exhibitions and Cultural Demonstrations have all been included in the festivities over the years.  The San Gennaro Foundation is planning several other events in the near future which will celebrate the Italian culture in all of its richness and diversity.

• “Cinema Al Fresco”
  
  In 2006, the San Gennaro Foundation hosted “Cinema Al Fresco”, a summer of Italian movies under the stars at the La Brea Tar Pits at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where everyone was invited to spread a blanket, enjoy a picnic and listen to live entertainment before each sundown screening. Complimentary movies included: “Cinema Paradiso”, “Il Postino”, “Pinocchio” and “The Italian Job” (1969).

• The Genealogy and Cultural Outreach Booth (FSGLA)
  
  The Genealogy and Cultural Outreach Booth (located at the FSGLA) grows larger every year, with more information, people to meet, and interesting and fun activities to do. The booth will function as a resource area for information on Italian and Italian-American culture, not only in Los Angeles but also around the country and internationally (especially in Italy!). Visitors to the booth will be able to learn about and meet people involved in such areas of interest as local, national, and international Italian-American events, clubs, organizations, publications, and websites amongst others. As always, there will be Internet access for visitors, assisted by volunteer San Gennaro “genealogy experts”, to research their Italian genealogical roots through such websites as the Ellis Island Passenger Arrivals site. Additionally, information about cultural initiatives sponsored by the San Gennaro Foundation, illustrating charitable activities generated by the Foundation in terms of Cultural Outreach in Los Angeles, will be on display.

Feast for All
During the three days that the Feast takes place each September, the San Gennaro Foundation's Feast for All Program feeds the homeless in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and other nearby communities, and is supported wholly through donations and money raised by the Prima Notte fundraising gala. 
In 2006, The San Gennaro Foundation:

• Together with Precious Cheese, donated 15,000 lbs. of cheese to feed charities such as: St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, Feed Your Soul and American Family Housing.  (In 2005, 40,000 lbs. of cheese were donated to Hurricane Katrina victims, as well as 10,000 lbs. to the local LA community).
• Fed more than 1,000 homeless individuals with St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church over the course of the weekend and during the Thanksgiving celebration.
• Brought 250 special education children and economically disadvantaged children from neighboring schools and shelters, along with their aides and teachers, to the Feast and provided them with free food, drinks, rides, games and toys.

Friends Sharing and Giving
FSGLA is a mentorship program focused on supporting, encouraging, and nurturing underprivileged kids. Our goal is to help build a better and healthier society by enriching the hearts and minds of underprivileged kids through fieldtrips, special events, education, and encouragement programs; expanding their possibilities in life and guiding them to become positive contributors to society.
Kids in the program participate in lectures on self-help, tolerance, diversity, and other topics; explore different opportunities through workshops offered by mentors and successful professionals; participate in academic activities to improve reading, writing, and communication skills, and take part in entertaining/learning activities, fieldtrips, and special Holiday celebrations. In some cases, scholarships are assigned to kids either for future college education or for required school materials.                                      
In 2006, The San Gennaro Foundation sponsored:

•  “Drawing Contest”; more than $2,000 in art supplies and bonds awarded to winners in three age groups.
• “Prima Mattina”; also known as Field Trip Friday, extended invitations to 2,000 children from different Title I schools to partake in plenty of Feast activities, from academic to fun.
• “Easter Baskets”; with needed items and treats, provided to over 40 children and 10 mothers in local shelters.

Scholarships
The San Gennaro Foundation supports education by awarding scholarships to extraordinary students in need. In 2006, SGF, with the support of Pontiac, bestowed more than $35,000 in college and back-to-school scholarships.
$9,600 for Hollywood High “Make A Friend” Scholarship:

• $1,200           Brenda Arevalo
• $1,200           Fatima Dominguez
• $1,200           Deon Goggins
• $1,200           Lizzette Gudino
• $1,200           Will Henriquez
• $1,200           Arutyun Pogosyan
• $1,200           Anabel Politron
• $1,200           Amy Ruiz Torres

$12,000 for Young Adult Italian Americans Preparing for College Scholarship:

• $1,000           Tyler B. Anderson
• $1,000           Brian P. Ascani
• $1,000           Marie C. Anello
• $1,000           Dino V. Capra
• $1,000           John V. Capra
• $1,000           Seth W. Coccia
• $1,000           Robyn E. Fielder
• $1,000           Anthony J. Guiliano
• $1,000           Rebecca Land
• $1,000           Grace G. Ortega
• $1,000           Tina Rinaldi
• $1,000           Matteo G. Vincente

$1,000 for Miss San Gennaro 2006 Scholarship:

• $1,000           Jessica Biscardi Woldorf

$12,500 for Scholarships of “Caring”:

• $375               20 Recipients from Lockwood Elementary School
• $250               20 Recipients from Lockwood Elementary School

Outreach
The San Gennaro Foundation reaches out and creates bridges of cooperation with other charitable organizations, supporting them in many ways including donations and pledges. Several organizations have benefited financially and have been provided with booths during the Feast in order to facilitate their own fundraising and educational programs.  In 2005, the Foundation donated over $19,000 to aid 21 families, with 36 children, who were left homeless after the Katrina hurricane. The whole town of Waveland, Mississippi was adopted by the San Gennaro Foundation with a donation of more than 8,000 lbs. of cheese. 

Among the organizations supported during 2006:

• LAPD (Hollywood) Police Activities League (PAL)
• LAPD Children’s Support Group
• Christ the King School & Church
• St. Peter’s Italian Church
• The Good Shepherd Shelter
• American Family Housing
• Feed Your Soul
• Meals on Wheels
• LAUSD Homeless Education
• LAUSD Teen Parent Program