On Monday, April 28, 2014, members of the Order Sons of Italy Renaissance Lodge #2259 and Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation met at the UCI Department of Pediatrics to give a donation in support of the Birth Defects Library and Genetics Program.
This Library was established in November, 1981. Funds were raised from community activities by the Lodge and Foundation such as the Italian Street booth fundraiser at the city of Orange Street Fair. Contributions to the library now total over $50,000.
These contributions have been vital to the success of the program which is serving a need in the community. In addition to funds donated a beautiful oak book case which covers one entire wall of the library was built and donated by a Sons of Italy Lodge members Josephine and Luigi Pierotti thanks to efforts of Chris Lotito of the Pugliese Lodge. A collection of fifteen recent books on genetics diseases was donated by Lodge member Bernadine Neil for the library at the meeting.
The Pediatrics Department is housed in the City Tower located at 333 W. City Drive in Orange. The faculty is headed by Dr. Maureen Bocian, a professor of pediatrics, who also conducts a training program for students.
Dr. Bocian reported on the recent activities of the department, its changes and needs, of which the funds will greatly assist. Dr. Bocian thanked the Renaissance Lodge for its generosity to the department today and over the years.
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