Savoy Foundation's 25th Annual Royal Savoy Ball (Ballo di Savoia) raises funds for children's charities in New York City with the support of prominent business leaders and under the patronage of the Italian Royal family. H.R.H. Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy and H.R.H. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia were guests of honor. The charity event also commemorated the 450th anniversary of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The winter charity gala benefited the Cooley's Anemia Foundation and A Chance In Life Inc.
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The 25th Ballo di Savoia (Royal Savoy Ball), the annual winter charity gala hosted by the American Foundation of Savoy Orders was celebrated on Saturday evening, December 17, 2022 at a new venue, The University Club in New York City. The benefit gala was under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Victor Emmanuel and Princess Marina of Savoy. The Savoy Foundation welcomed back His Royal Highness Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Venice and Piedmont and his cousin His Royal Highness Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, who were guests of honor for this occasion. The royal gala also marked the 450th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. A commemorative medal to celebrate this historic anniversary was presented to each Savoy Ball guest. The Ball was part of a four-day weekend of events organized by the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, 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.
More than 300 patrons, benefactors and guests gathered to support the Savoy Foundation's 25th annual white-tie dinner-dance. The event raised funds in support of the Savoy Foundation's philanthropic mission - Chivalry for Children's Causes - and the event's primary beneficiaries: The Cooley's Anemia Foundation which funds medical research fighting thalassemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusion and daily drug treatment; and A Chance In Life Inc., formerly Boys and Girls Town, which provides resources for empowering, life affirming educational and health-related programs for youth in under-resourced communities on Staten Island's North Shore.
Prior to Saturday's evening Gala, a welcome reception on Friday evening, December 16, was held at the Lotos Club for guests attending the Royal Savoy Ball. At the ball on Saturday, gala attendees enjoyed a champagne reception, hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktails before the main program began with a royal fanfare. Following the main seated dinner, guests enjoyed a sumptuous Viennese dessert table in the adjoining room and ballroom dancing with the Mitch Kahn orchestra.
Among the distinguished guests were H.E. Fra' Cav. Gr. Cr. John T. Dunlap, Lieutenant of the Grand Master and head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, H.E. Ambassador Comm. Paul Beresford-Hill, Permanent Observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Lady Dewi Sukarno, Dr. Frank Markus and Dr. Natasha Frank. Other guests included: Mr. and Mrs. Marco Grassi, H.E. John Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Gary. L. Krupp, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Soloway, Mr. Christopher Page, Mrs. Jean Shafiroff and Mr. Katsutoshi Tanaka. Carl J. Morelli, Esq., Savoy Foundation Chairman Emeritus also was in attendance and was saluted with a special presentation in appreciation for his 25 years service as the American Delegate of the Orders of Savoy in the USA.
A highlight of the evening were the remarks by Prince Emmanuel Philibert who praised the achievements of the Savoy Foundation in the past 29 years. "The children's causes to which the American Foundation contributes so significantly, represent an important continuation of my family's tradition - helping those in need. That is the true spirit of chivalry which is so impressive in the work the American Foundation does."
Craig Butler, President and CEO of the Cooley's Anemia Foundation, expressed his gratitude to the Savoy Foundation for the impact that the funds raised at the charity ball would have for patients suffering from the ravages of thalassemia. A Chance in Life Inc. was represented by Gabriele DelMonaco who spoke about the needs of the under-served youth on Staten Island and the need to provide shelter, education, and leadership development for at-risk youth.
In commenting as to the Ballo di Savoia weekend's success, Joseph Sciame President, American Foundation of Savoy Orders and the 2022 Ballo Chairman, stated: "We are all so very happy and proud with the outstanding success and camaraderie of the 2022 Ballo did Savoia. We truly brought together many distinguished guests all led by HRH Prince Emmanuel Philibert and his cousin HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia. The many guests who supported our Journal efforts that memorialize our history and more, as well as those who gave to benefit the two charities all have led to many dollars for the good of children in fulfilling our mission: Chivalry for Children's Causes. I am very proud to serve as the new American Delegate for the Savoy Orders in the USA since this past October and look forward to many great events."
The Savoy Ball of New York continues a thousand-year tradition of goodwill and charitable giving through its Patrons, Benefactors and Sponsors: Grand Patron: Brent Freeman; Patrons: Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Desiderio, Esq.; Drs. Natasha and Markus Frank; Hon. William Martini; Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Miller, Esq.; Carl J. Morelli, Esq.; and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pecora; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Viscogliosi; Mr. and Mrs. George C. White; Benefactors: A Chance In Life Inc.; Canadian Delegation of Savoy Orders; Cooley's Anemia Foundation; Dr. Frank Craparo; Anthony J. Cipriano; Mr. Richard Cuneo; Mr. Salvatore Galletti; Eric J. Ierardi, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. McClory, OSIA NYS Grand Lodge Foundation; Japanese Delegation of Savoy Orders; Mr. Jean Tamenne; Grand Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Leslie, Mr. Christopher Page and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Soloway.
For more information on supporting the Savoy Foundation's Chivalry For Children's Causes, click here
CONTACT:
Larissa Van Duser, American Foundation of Savoy Orders, [email protected], +1 646-489-1242
ABOUT THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION AND THE AMERICAN DELEGATION OF SAVOY ORDERS
Headquartered in New York City, the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes all 50 of the United States of America, is among the 35 delegations of the Savoy Orders located throughout Europe, the Americas and Japan.
The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, incorporated a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, has supported local, national, and international charities focusing on medical, educational, and humanitarian fields, including philanthropy for U.S. veterans, hospitals and relief agencies for children, the poor, sick and elderly. The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization in Roster Consultative Statues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In 2019, the Savoy Foundation launched a new charitable initiative - Chivalry for Children's Causes - a multi-year program assisting institutions and charitable organizations that provide aid to children and families in need, building stable, healthy families. The program is made possible thanks to generous support from the members and friends of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders.
ABOUT THE ROYAL HOUSE OF SAVOY
The Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy are among the oldest orders of Knighthood and Merit in the world. The Savoy Orders are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and have 35 Delegations worldwide that support the Orders' ongoing charitable works. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, Prince of Naples and Duke of Savoy, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders. Prince Emmanuel Philibert is his son and the hereditary crown Prince of Italy and currently serves as President of the Council of the Savoy Orders.
In 1946, when the Kingdom of Italy came to an end, the House of Savoy was Europe's oldest reigning dynasty. The heads of the House of Savoy had ruled, first as counts, then as dukes and finally as kings, for almost a thousand years. Descended in the direct male line from a tenth-century vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Savoys ruled the Alpine state of Aosta, as well as Savoy, where they established their capital at Chambery. Their dominion was eventually extended to include Piedmont and other territories in what are now Italy, France and Switzerland. By the eighteenth century, the Savoys were kings of Sicily and then Sardinia, and it was under their aegis that the Italian states were united by 1871.
The Royal Family's heritage can be seen in castles and palaces, and in the beauty of the northwestern Italian city of Turin, the Savoys' magnificent capital in the heart of Piedmont in the 16th into the 19th centuries. The dynastic chivalric traditions of the Royal House of Savoy continue. The Order of the Annunciation and the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, two of the world's oldest knightly institutions, are still alive today, epitomizing the dynasty's medieval spirit while supporting very modern charitable works in Italy, Switzerland, France, Japan, the United States and elsewhere. Chivalry lives. Today, the House of Savoy remains one of the oldest royal dynasties.
Media Contact
Larissa Van Duser, American Foundation of Savoy Orders, 646-489-1242, [email protected]
SOURCE American Foundation of Savoy Orders
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