The Columbian Foundation hosted their 74th Annual Humanitarian, Achievement, and President's Awards Dinner on Saturday, October 17 at at Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ. Honorees included the Foundation's first ever father/son duo, Senator Anthony R. Bucco and his son, Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, East Hanover Mayor Joseph Pannullo and Brian Campolattaro M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmologist.

President of the Columbian Foundation, Rocco Malanga, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Olympia Garruto, wife of late Columbian Foundation member, Louis A. Garruto. Proceeds from the night benefitted student scholarships. Beneficiaries included Brianna Siracuse, Dominick Congiusta, Richard Bavier and Joseph Ippolito (NJ Medical School) and Taylor Iodice and Anthony Cocuzza (Seton Hall Law School).

The Annual Awards Dinner is the most critical of all the Foundation's fundraising efforts. The attendees of this time-honored event not only provide tremendous support through their generosity, but also honor some of the truly outstanding men and women in our community.

About The Columbian Foundation: The Columbian Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1941 by business and professional men of Italian descent from Newark and surrounding communities. The objectives of The Foundation are dedicated to improving the cultural, educational, economic and social welfare of New Jersey citizens and institutions. For more information, visit www.ColumbianFoundation.com