Savoy Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary at Annual Ballo di Savoia (Savoy Ball) Charity Gala in New York City on December 8, 2018

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Saturday evening, December 8, 2018, friends of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders gathered to celebrate the Foundation's twenty-fifth anniversary at its annual white-tie charity event, the (Savoy Ball). The Savoy Foundation was delighted to welcome back His Royal Highness Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Venice and his cousin His Royal Highness Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, who were guests of honor for this occasion. The Ball was part of a four-day weekend of events organized by the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and the Savoy Foundation, continuing the spirit and tradition of charitable giving and hospitaller care of the historic dynastic orders of knighthood and merit of the thousand-year Royal House of Savoy. Every year the Savoy Foundation raises critical revenue through Gala ticket sales, program advertisements, sponsorships and contributions for its various philanthropic initiatives.

The festive evening included an elegant reception, a beautifully presented gourmet dinner, Viennese dessert stations, music, dancing, and ball gifts. The Ball is the Savoy Foundation's largest fundraiser and helps provide the resources needed to continue its year-round mission of assisting disabled war veterans, emergency relief aid, educational initiatives, scholarship programs and other charitable initiatives. Prior to Saturday's evening Gala, a private reception at the home of Cristina and Marco Grassi for the Patrons and Benefactors was held on Thursday evening and a Welcome Reception on Friday evening, December 7 at the Lotos Club for guests attending the Savoy Ball.

The Savoy Ball of New York, marking the 25th anniversary of the Savoy Foundation, was a sold-out event with 350 supporters. The white-tie gala soirée was hosted by the , Incorporated and was under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Victor Emmanuel and Princess Marina of Savoy. Prince Victor Emmanuel is the son and Prince Emmanuel Philibert is a grandson of the last King of Italy, Umberto II. Prince Victor Emmanuel is also the Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy. Prince Dimitri is the son of Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and his first wife, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, the eldest daughter of King Umberto II of Italy.

The Savoy Foundation is supported by 200 knights and dames in the United States and Canada who are members of the , which is part of the historic dynastic and chivalric Orders of the thousand year Royal House of Savoy, which united Italy as a kingdom between 1861 and 1871. The Savoy Foundation, whose mission is to serve "the poor and the sick," raises funds for humanitarian projects. The ball benefited the charitable initiatives of the Foundation.

Due in large part to funds raised at the Gala, the Savoy Foundation is able to continue to support humanitarian projects, including a children's causes, veterans programs, disaster relief for earthquake and flood victims and scholarships for college students. During his speech, Prince Emmanuel Philibert said: "I am grateful to all the members of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and their guests this evening, for your effort in supporting the charitable causes of the Savoy Orders that will benefit from the funds raised tonight for the various charitable grants that the Foundation provides. The fact that you are by your generosity so effectively supporting charitable works in your community and throughout the world, gives me great happiness, since these excellent endeavors are being carried out in the name and traditions of the Royal House of Savoy. The Savoy Ball of New York continues a thousand-year tradition of goodwill and charitable giving through its Patrons, Benefactors and Sponsors."

Chairman of the Board Carl J. Morelli and Ball Chair Joseph Sciame opened the evening by thanking the many supporters and sponsors of the Gala. Guests included: Platinum Sponsors: The Japanese Delegation of the Savoy Orders, headed by Vice Delegate Dr. Hideto Tomabechi ; Gold Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. F. Anthony Naccarato; Silver Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Pica II; Grand Patrons: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. McClory , Patrons: Ms. Vivian Cardia, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Desiderio, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pigott and Mr. and Mrs. George C. White; Benefactors: Louis Benza, Esq., Dr. Raymond Benza, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Caccese, Baroness Flavia Frati-Spagnola, Mr. Michael Ricatto, Mr. and Mrs. James Losi, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pecora and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Viscogliosi. Other guests included Reverend Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie, Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Mrs.Christina Rose and Baroness Gabrielle von Langendorff. Sponsors included Dr. Timothy DeZastro, Fra' John T. Dunlap and Mr. and Mrs. Marco Grassi.

International guests included Diane Habig Bertolotto, Mrs. Carole Bellidora Westfall, The Hon. David Yurdiga MP of Canada, the Canadian Delegation of Savoy Orders, Mr. Jean Tamenne and his wife Yurie Hatanaka of Monaco and the Japanese Delegation of the Savoy Orders, headed by Vice Delegate Dr. Hideto Tomabechi.

Next year's ball is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2019 in New York City.

About The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated
The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, a U.S. charitable 501(c) (3) organization, is a NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It has three endowments: charitable causes, educational programs and an operating fund. Its Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to students in the humanities and international studies. Annual grants are also made to educational programs, hospice care facilities, orphanages and programs supporting disabled veterans. ()

In order to raise funds for the support of its activities, the Savoy Foundation sponsors a winter event, Savoy Ball of New York (Ballo di Savoia), a spring event, Festa della Primavera in New York City and the on the West Coast. It also confers an annual , which honors individuals whose humanitarian work, public service and exemplary conduct have contributed significantly to the betterment of the community and world. Its goal is to bring public recognition to individuals whose principles, values, civil conduct and humanitarian accomplishments provide inspiration to current and future generations.

Members of the Italian Royal Family, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, actively support, attend and lend their names through formal patronage of these Savoy Foundation events.

About The American Delegation of Savoy Orders
The American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States of America and Canada, is a part of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, among the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. The Savoy Orders are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and have 35 Delegations worldwide that support the ongoing charitable works of these ancient Dynastic Orders of Knighthood and Merit. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel, Prince of Naples and Duke of Savoy, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders, He is the great, great grandson of King Victor Emmanuel II, Italy's first reigning sovereign, who united the nation of Italy under his rule between 1861 and 1870. The Prince's father, King Umberto II, was Italy's last reigning sovereign. He died in 1983.

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Contact:
The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated
100 Park Avenue Suite 1653
New York, NY 10017
212-972-0495
Email: amsavoy(at)aol(dot)com
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SOURCE Savoy Foundation