In keeping with a long-standing tradition of serving the Italian American community for 94 years, the Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C. held its annual Charitable Fund Raiser, Gala and Past President’s Night on November 11, 2023, at the Hilton Hotel in Tysons Corner, VA and presented the Lido Club’s Man of the Year to civic leader Christopher Clemente. 

The Lido Civic Club, founded in 1929, is an Italian American organization dedicated to serving the Washington Metropolitan community through its civic and charitable activities. Since 2002, the Lido Civic Club has provided more than $1M in college scholarships to deserving students. 

In addition to our scholarships, the Lido Club typically supports over 10 charities per year; charities such as Wounded Warriors rehabilitation program, the Holy Rosary Church, Easter Seals, Strongest Hearts Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Champions Against Cancer. 

Lido Club President Rich DiPippo presented the Lido Civic Club Man of the Year Award to Mr. Christopher Clemente for his lifetime of outstanding civic achievements, supporting International Adaptions, foster care programs and providing educational, housing, and other assistance to families and children in need.    

Mr. Clemente is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Comstock Holding Companies®, Inc.  Mr. Clemente’s companies focused on commercial real estate development and investments as well as “For-Sale” homebuilding operations throughout the southeastern United states. For example, Mr. Clemente has told the Washington Business Journal that he envisioned a day, not in the too distant future when the Reston Metro Station and the Reston Town Center are connected creating “…one large integrated employment center.”    

Following a speech by Mr. Clemente, the Lido Club President, Rich DiPippo turned over the president’s gavel to Mr. Joseph La Fonte.  Rich oversaw the Lido Civic Club’s activities for three years and we saw a very large increase in fund raising and in turn a significant increase in support for the Italian American Community in the Washington, D.C., metro area and well as support for multiple charities in the metro area. Thanks, Rich, for a great job. 

After serving as the Financial Chair of the Lido Club, Mr. Joseph La Fonte, has taken on the lead of the Club now serving as President of the Lido Club. Mr. La Fonte will utilize his experience in both business, civic and charitable activities to guide the Lido Club in continuing to actively support the Lido Clubs Scholarship Program and Charitable giving. Mr. La Fonte is a Director, Shareholder and he is one of the Executive Leaders of Harvey-Cleary overseeing the Washington, D.C. office.

We must also recognize one of our most ardent supporters, Congresswoman Connie Morella who has been a supporter of the Lido Club for many, many years.

With almost 300 attendees at the event, representing individual attendees and multiple companies who support our efforts the Gala was a tremendous success. We were honored by having Minister Plenipotentiary Alessandro Gonzales, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Italian Embassy who provided Greetings from the Republic of Italy. All of this wrapped together resulted in a great and successful Gala event where all in attendance had a great evening.  The evening began with a Silent Auction, moved on to an outstanding dinner prepared by the Hilton Tyson’s Corner, VA and culminated with an evening of dancing.  

The silent auction featured items such as a Tuscan dinner evening, tickets for local professional sports teams, golf outings, hand crafted oil paintings, amazing cabernets, crystal ware and many more wonderful items.