WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mary Naccarato, Chair Emeritus of the OSDIA Grand Lodge of New York Gift of Sight Committee and Past First Lady of the Grand Lodge of New York, will be honored with the Humanitarian Award at the Sons of Italy Foundation’s 37th Annual National Education and Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Mary Naccarato is a dedicated humanitarian and healthcare professional whose lifelong commitment to service has impacted countless individuals and communities. She began her career in occupational therapy, working with returning Vietnam veterans and later served as Director of Occupational Therapy across several Long Island facilities, where she developed programs to help patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Following a distinguished 40-year career in healthcare, Naccarato devoted herself fully to community service through the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. In 2009, she made history as the first woman elected President of the Giuseppe Verdi Lodge 2163. Naccarato then served as Chair of the OSDIA Grand Lodge of New York Cooley’s Anemia Committee from 2013-2017, during which she raised $240,000.
As Chair of the Gift of Sight Committee since 2017, Naccarato has led extraordinary philanthropic efforts supporting the blind and visually impaired. Under her leadership, the committee has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, including approximately $420,000 through annual luncheons and additional funds through state conventions and private fundraising initiatives. These efforts have supported organizations such as the Helen Keller Association, Northport Veterans Hospital, and the Guide Dog and VetDog Foundation through the sponsorship of multiple service dogs. During her tenure, Naccarato donated two 16-passenger vans to the Guide Dog/VetDog Foundation and to VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
“I am deeply honored to receive this esteemed award, and I deeply appreciate the recognition from an organization dedicated to empowering the next generation through education and supporting worthy causes,” said Naccarato of the Humanitarian Award.
Through her decades of service, Mary Naccarato has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving lives, advancing accessibility, and strengthening communities. Her compassion, leadership, and extraordinary impact make her a truly deserving recipient of the Humanitarian Award.
The NELA Gala is the Foundation’s premier annual event, honoring leaders whose achievements, service, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on their professions and communities, while supporting SIF’s mission of philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation.
This year’s Gala will also celebrate Umbria as the 2026 Region of Celebration, bringing national attention to the rich culture, history, and traditions of Italy’s “Green Heart.”
For more information about the 2026 NELA Gala and this year’s honorees and special guests, visit nelagala.org.
About the Sons of Italy Foundation®
The Sons of Italy Foundation® (SIF) is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), supporting scholarships, medical research, disaster relief, cultural preservation, and veterans’ initiatives nationwide. Since its founding, SIF has contributed tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes, including awarding more than $600,000 in scholarships over the past four years to outstanding students across the country.
Media Contact:
Samuel Weinmann
Communications Coordinator
sweinmann@osia.org
202-547-2900
