Pacific Italian Alliance Information

Pacific Italian Alliance was born of a concern for the preservation of the Italian heritage in a multi-cultural world. As generation has succeeded generation of Italians in the Central Valley, few sons and daughters have mastered the Italian language or have consciously pursued knowledge of the Italian culture. Loss and decay threaten diaries, pictures and art treasures from earlier generations. Connections with Italy have become more distant, and understanding of its current challenges is less precise. Locally, the older Italian organizations have narrowed in focus and are declining in membership. Faliero "Luke" Lucaccini and Frank Garavano were among the first to grasp the need for a new organization dedicated to bringing the entire Italian-American community together to promote its heritage. In 1991, a new organization was quickly established, bringing together the Italian-American community with educators from the University of the Pacific, the University of Genoa, the University of Florence, and the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco. Pacific Italian Alliance has developed a year-long series of events to celebrate this heritage. To begin each year, Carnevale is celebrated in mid-winter with fun and festivities for the entire family. In May, the Alliance honors an outstanding member of the Italian-American community through its "Luke Award", including either individuals or organizations which have greatly contributed to the improvement of our quality of life. This award is named for PIA co-founder and former Italian Vice Consul Faliero M. Lucaccini. The Alliance has also undertaken a series of educational initiatives to improve the community's understanding of Italy today. It sponsors students from the university of Florence who come to the University of the Pacific to study American Literature. These students visit with our community groups and events, and take an active part in improving our knowledge of the new Italy; its aspirations and concerns for the future. To improve communication of our heritage and culture, the Alliance publishes the quarterly magazine Il Bollettino, along with Corriere della Valle, which is a bi-weekly newsletter of news and events for our active volunteers and partners. The Alliance was also instrumental in establishing a sister city relationship between Stockton and Parma, Italy. In 1993, the Alliance began a cooperative relationship with the Museo Italo-Americano in San Francisco. Using the University of the Pacific's Holt Atherton Library, the Alliance mounted a four-week exhibition from Genoa, detailing the migration of Italians from their homeland to the Americas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 2002, a similar exhibition was showcased at the Haggin Museum in Stockton, entitled "La Nostra Strada," which was guest curated by Dr. Adele Maiello of the University of Genoa, and highlighted the significant contributions of Italian-Americans in the Central Valley. Pacific Italian Alliance is a charitable, cultural and educational organization as described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal revenue Code. Donors may deduct contributions to the Alliance as provided in Section 170 of the Code. Bequests, legacies, devices, transfers or gifts to the Alliance are deductible for federal estate and gift tax purposes if they meet the applicable provisions of Sections 2055, 2016, and 2522 of the Code. For information on our ongoing program of activities, and to inquire about membership, please join automatically by visiting our membership page, contact us by sending an e-mail (Click here) or send inquiries by US Mail to: Donald DonatoExecutive DirectorPacific Italian Alliance