Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the most celebrated Italian Americans will be honored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) with the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Leadership in Health and Science on October 31st during the organization’s celebrity-filled virtual gala. “We aim for our Gala to convey our deep gratitude to Dr. Fauci for his leadership and work to keep us safe and to provide hope, as well as to remind our Italian American community of our time-honored resilience and strength as we forge through the Covid-19 pandemic together,” Gala Chair Pat Harrison said. “The public figures and leaders who will be participating in this special evening will reinforce our uplifting virtual gala’s message.”
Throughout this NIAF Gala evening, special appearances from “friends of Dr. Fauci” will include: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Andrea Bocelli, Francis Ford Coppola, Tony Bennett, Alan Alda, Michael Douglas, Patti LuPone, Joe Mantegna, Isabella Rossellini, Marisa Tomei, Connie Francis, Frankie Valli, Dionne Warwick, and Neil Sedaka along with other surprise guests who will provide personal tributes to Dr. Fauci with appreciation for his service to the nation. Mary Ann Esposito, celebrity chef and host of “Ciao Italia” created a special recipe in Dr. Fauci’s honor for NIAF’s 45th Anniversary Gala. Guests are encouraged to make Esposito’s Fauci Fettucine with Fresh Mushrooms, to enjoy while watching the event virtually in the comfort of their own home. Get the recipe and how to video HERE.
“We can’t travel to Italy right now but the NIAF Gala will bring Italy to you. Spend a virtual “bellissima” evening with us celebrating Italians, Italian Americans and Italophiles.“ Anita McBride, NIAF Board Member
