Wilmington Sons and Daughters of Italy
About
The Wilmington Sons and Daughters of Italy is the Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli Lodge #2183, part of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, which describes itself as the largest and oldest organization for Americans of Italian heritage. The lodge is committed to community service, with a calendar that mixes charity drives, scholarships and social events for members and their families.
The lodge was founded on March 12, 1967, after a series of house meetings, by Laura Caira, Frances Gray and George Murray, with 94 members at its start. It is named for Pope John XXIII. Members built their own lodge on Ballardvale Street in 1976 and sold it in 1996. Activities include a Veterans Day breakfast with the Wilmington Methodist Church, an Easter Bunny and diaper drive, senior luncheons, an adult Christmas party and a trip to the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum.
What to Know
- The lodge awarded six undergraduate scholarships in 2026, each with a one-year lodge membership.
- Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Thursday, preceded by a social hour with a light dinner.
- The lodge held a new member installation in November 2025.
- The lodge hosts an annual Christmas party for members’ children and grandchildren.
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