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JOHN JOHNSTON / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Social Page for March 30th, 2013 Sons of Italy ‚ÄìWinnipeg Convention Center 1300 people attended the 27th Annual Sons of Italy Gala at the Winnipeg Convention Center and enjoyed a spectacular multi-course meal . If the antipasto salami wasn‚Äôt hot enough, Father Sam Argenziano added his own brand of spice as emcee. A cheque for $100,000 was presented to Canada Italy Tissue Engineering Lab (CITEL) to further development of heart tissue patches and repair damaged hearts at the St. Boniface Hospital. A further $10,000 was given to the Dante Alighieri Cultural Society to support the local Italian language school. Overall it was an evening of sharing with the ‚Äúfamiglia‚Äù of Winnipeg and Italian communities to foster a stronger home in our city. Vegas singer Steve Lippia and Ron Paley‚Äôs Big Band provided entertainment. Charity of Choice CITEL. (L to R): Franco Petrelli (Gala Chair Sons of Italy Garibaldi Lodge), Tat-Liang Fabio Cheam (President Sons of Italy Garibaldi Lodge), Rob Johnston (Regional VP, RBC), Dr. Grant Pierce (Executive Director of Research, St-Boniface Hospital), Kevin Williams, (Chair, St-Boniface Hospital Board of Directors), Dr. Paulo Di Nardo (Universita di Roma Tor Vergata), Chuck LaFl¾©che, (President & CEO, St-Boniface Hospital Foundation), Carmine Militano, (Chair, CITEL Campaign), Dr. Emanuele Fiore (Scientific Attache Italian Embassy to Canada) Travis Giavedoni (Treasurer, Sons of Italy Garibaldi Lodge)