Joanne Coccia Lodge #2553

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

It was a beautiful, crisp Saturday morning, perfect for being outside and giving back to the community. On March 25, 2023 the American Heart Association held their annual Inland Empire Heart & Stroke Walk. This signature fund raising event had an attendance of 950 plus participants raising over $180,000. Members of the Order of Sons & Daughters of Italy, Joanne Coccia Lodge #2553, gathered to support this worthwhile event held in Riverside, California. The Lodge members walked and donated in honor of the late Emanuel Manny Finazzo, raising $5,891, far surpassing our $3,000 goal-amazing! Mauro Romagnoli, team co-captain and Club Vice President, stated, “It was a wonderful way to have our club band together for such an important cause. Manny will always be in our hearts and giving back to the community was a great way to remember him.” We are so thankful to Vita Willett for spearheading this event for our lodge as our team captain.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of women. Dollars raised from the Heart and Stroke Walk support American Heart Association’s core mission as well as innovative research, educational programs for our community, and advocacy efforts.

Marissa Aguilar, Business Development Director on behalf of the American Heart Association sent us a letter stating the following, “We sincerely appreciate your support of the Inland Empire Heart & Stroke Walk and thank you for continuing to be an advocate and a voice in the community for the American Heart Association. It is people like you that help us to make strides in our fight against cardiovascular disease.