In May, the Nelson Italian-Canadian Society (NICS) held their annual Spring Banquet, which, over the
years, has raised funds to help support a variety of charitable and not for profit groups in the
community.
The NICS teamed up with Ferraro Foods in Trail, who generously donated all the food for the dinner.
The donation from Ferraro Foods translated into a much larger revenue from the banquet.
NICS President Paul Boscariol said, “Over the years we have shopped at Ferraro Foods for the
specialty Italian foods for our events and they have always supported our efforts. This donation
caught us by surprise when they indicated a strong desire to help us make a larger contribution to the
Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation.”
As a result the NICS is pleased to make a donation of $5500 to help the Kootenay Lake Hospital
Foundation purchase essential medical equipment, specialty treatment chairs, and other key
furnishings for the recently renovated Chemotherapy/IV Infusion Clinic.
The sellout crowd of 176 people at the banquet enjoyed a sumptuous Italian six course feast. It took
a group of 20 NICS volunteers to plan the event, set up the hall, prep and cook the dinner and clean
up following the event.
For those fortunate enough to have enjoyed the dinner, it will be one to savour as head cook Cosimo
Chirico determined that would be his final large scale event. Over the years Cosimo has been a
mainstay in the kitchen at NICS events, but not to worry, he has passed on many of his skills and
recipes to some of the younger NICS volunteers.
That includes the recipe for the Italian spaghetti sauce which will be available for sale again late in the
Fall.
The NICS would like to thank all those who attended the banquet and who have supported all our
fundraising efforts over the years. You are truly an integral part of the sharing spirit in Nelson!
Photo Byline
The Nelson Italian-Canadian Society Donates $5500 to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation’s
Breath of Spring campaign following their successful Spring Banquet. This donation will help purchase
essential medical equipment, specialized treatment chairs, and other key furnishings for the newly
renovated Chemotherapy/IV Infusion Clinic at Kootenay Lake Hospital. Bryna Idler of the Kootenay
Lake Hospital Foundation accepts the donation from NICS representatives (L-R) Cosimo Chirico,
Domenic Porco, Donna Drover, Rocco Mastrobuono and Paul Boscariol.