Since 1997, the Fall River Sons of Italy lodge has consistently awarded financial scholarships to the children and/or grandchildren of existing members of the local lodge, whose ranks have grown impressively over the last 20 years. The generous monetary awards have been given to deserving recipients in their “pursuit of higher education.”

Last year, however, the scope of bestowing an educational scholarship was expanded, thanks to the efforts of lodge member Alan Amaral, who also serves as the group’s orator. Amaral jokes, “My father had a hard time finding a stick of chourico in my mother’s kitchen.” however flavorful the blend of two ethnicities must have been in the Amaral household.