The Benvenuto Americans of Italian Heritage club presented a check to Villages Honor Flight, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to transporting U.S. Military Veterans to Washington, D.C., for $3,300 at their March meeting on Tuesday night at the Odell Recreation Center. Accepting the check on behalf of the Honor Flight, Peter Tetrault thanked the club saying that you have just paid for six vets to go to Washington D.C.
“Ninety-six cents of every dollar we receive goes to a vet,” said Tetrault.
The money was raised at the club’s annual Bocce Tournament. Tournament co-chair John DiFulgentis told the assembled club on Tuesday, “I think this is one of the best Bocce tournaments we have ever had.” Over the years the club has raised and donated to local charities over $23,600.
The tournament was held March 10 in four different recreation centers, with 128 players participating. DiFulgentis thanked all the players.
“Many of you have played with us for many years and we are very fortunate to have your consistent support. This year we were also pleased to see a large number of newcomers to our event including three teams from the Manatee Recreation Center and three teams from the Village of Fenney.”
“Congratulations to all 32 teams that started play at the four sites with eight teams making it to the quarterfinals at Hibiscus” said DiFulgentis. “The final match between The Players and Pisano’s gave the spectators an exciting finish to the day with the Pisano’s emerging as the champions for the second time since 2014.”
Another traditional highlight of the tournament is the lunch of meatball and sausage subs, provided this year by club member Don Hart.
The Benvenuto Club, an Italian social club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at the Odell Recreation Center October through May.
The Villages Honor Flight will be conducting their next trip to Washington, D.C. on April 4. For more information about the Honor Flight contact Peter Tetrault at tate1443@aol.com.
