Embracing not just our Italian heritage but also our American roots, Buona Fortuna Lodge members participated in our first-ever “Bowling with Buona Fortuna” on Sunday, August 9.

We traded in the warm, quiet sand or crushed stone of the bocce lanes and the small pallino for noisy, air-conditioned hardwood lanes and tall pins being attacked by heavy bowling balls! About 35 Lodge members joined us at DeLuna Lanes on Nine Mile Road for an indoor social gathering filled with friendly competition and lots of fun.

There was laughter, excitement, cheering and, of course, prizes. Who won??? Everyone who showed up for the event! But yes, there are more details…

Several Lodge brothers and sisters came to watch and socialize, while 24 active bowlers — young, not so young, and everything in between — took to the lanes. Most notably, FOTO was so well represented that we had to break up some of their group to even out the teams!

Each lane became a team of six, with prizes awarded to the top bowler on each team for each game. There were also awards planned for “turkeys” — three strikes in a row. Since we didn’t have any turkeys that afternoon, the bowler with the most strikes in each game received the award instead. And, of course, we had to recognize the highest-scoring bowler of the day.

Awards were presented to:

• Rachelle Torjusen – High Score of the Day / High Game 1 / High Game 2 / Turkey Award

• Gwendolyn George – High Game 1 / High Game 2 / Turkey Award

• Diana Mancini – High Game 1 / High Game 2

• Davis Kimble – High Game 1 (tie)

• Stephen Robbins – High Game 1 (tie), guest of Patricia Oliverio

• Mary Summers – High Game 2

It was a great afternoon, and we hope to do it again!

Thank you to everyone who came out to bowl, cheer, socialize and make our first Bowling with Buona Fortuna such a fun event!


 

PENSACOLA, FL — Representatives of Buona Fortuna Lodge #2835, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, visited the Warrington Emergency Aid Center (WEAC) on Friday, July 31, to present one of the Lodge's 2026 Community Impact Grants in support of WEAC's Third Annual Sock & Shoe Drive, an annual initiative providing new shoes and socks to local elementary school children before the start of the school year.

The grant was awarded through Buona Fortuna Lodge's Spring 2026 Charitable Giving Program, funded by proceeds from the Lodge's annual Festa Italiana celebration. Following the check presentation, WEAC's Board of Directors welcomed Lodge representatives on a tour of the organization's facilities, providing a firsthand look at the growing needs facing families throughout the Warrington community.

During the tour, board members shared that the demand for emergency assistance has more than doubled over the past three years, requiring WEAC to expand both its services and community partnerships. Today, WEAC works alongside organizations including Bright Bridge Ministries, Warrington Elementary's Feed the Kids on the Weekend Program, The Village Hands, and Turning Point Church, extending food assistance and essential services to even more families throughout the community.

Buona Fortuna Lodge's donation will help support WEAC's Third Annual Sock & Shoe Drive, which is collecting new children's closed-toe shoes (sizes 1–8½) and new socks for elementary school students in need. The annual campaign helps ensure children begin the school year with the confidence, comfort, and dignity that comes with having proper footwear.

"Walking through WEAC and hearing how the need for assistance has doubled over the past three years really put things into perspective," said Diana Mancini, Vice President of Buona Fortuna Lodge and a member of the Lodge's Charity Committee. "We saw firsthand how one organization can become the hub for so many others, extending support through partnerships with Bright Bridge Ministries, Warrington Elementary's Feed the Kids on the Weekend Program, The Village Hands, and Turning Point Church. It reminds us that every dollar raised at Festa Italiana becomes an investment in our own community. Supporting WEAC's Sock & Shoe Drive means helping local children begin the school year with confidence, dignity, and the simple essentials every child deserves."

Ginny Barberi, President of Buona Fortuna Lodge, said the visit reinforced the Lodge's commitment to investing in organizations that strengthen the community.

"One of the founding principles of Buona Fortuna Lodge is that the success of Festa Italiana should benefit our community," Barberi said. "Meeting the dedicated volunteers and board members at WEAC and seeing their compassion in action reminds us that our charitable giving is about much more than writing a check. It is about investing in organizations that strengthen families, serve neighbors in need, and create hope throughout Northwest Florida."

Each year, Buona Fortuna Lodge awards community grants to nonprofit organizations nominated by its members. The Charity Committee reviews those nominations and recommends organizations whose missions reflect the Lodge's longstanding commitment to charity, family, education, cultural enrichment, health, and community service.

The community is encouraged to support WEAC's Third Annual Sock & Shoe Drive by donating new children's closed-toe shoes (sizes 1–8½) and new socks. Donations may be dropped off at WEAC, 406 South Navy Boulevard (Annex behind the church), Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Join Us at Festa Italiana 2026

Every plate of pasta served, every raffle ticket purchased, every sponsorship secured, every volunteer who gives their time, and every guest who attends Festa Italiana helps make stories like this possible.

Buona Fortuna Lodge invites the community to attend the 16th Annual Festa Italiana, October 9–10, 2026, in Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. Through authentic Italian cuisine, live entertainment, cultural demonstrations, family activities, and the generosity of thousands of attendees, Festa Italiana has become one of Northwest Florida's premier cultural festivals and one of the area's most meaningful charitable fundraising events.

The success of Festa Italiana allows Buona Fortuna Lodge to return thousands of dollars each year to organizations that are feeding the hungry, supporting children, preserving culture, promoting health, awarding scholarships, and strengthening families throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

For information about Festa Italiana, membership, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer opportunities, or Buona Fortuna Lodge, visit www.BuonaFortunaLodge.org.

The Heart of Our Silent Auction Starts With You

Every year at Festa Italiana, one of the most popular attractions is our Silent Auction. Guests gather around the tables, comparing bids, discovering unique treasures, and often returning several times throughout the day to see if they've been outbid. It's fun, exciting, and it raises important funds that help support the mission of Buona Fortuna Lodge.

But what truly makes our Silent Auction successful isn't the bidding.

It's the creativity, generosity, and support of our Lodge members and Friends of the Lodge.

Over the years, our members have donated everything from themed gift baskets and handcrafted items to vacation experiences, specialty foods, wine collections, sports memorabilia, artwork, and unique one-of-a-kind treasures. Some of our most successful auction items started with a simple idea and a little imagination.

Now is the time to begin gathering items for our 2026 Silent Auction.

As you shop throughout the year, travel, attend events, or discover something special, please consider setting it aside for Festa Italiana. New items are always appreciated, and creative themed baskets continue to be some of our most popular auction packages.

I also encourage you to reach out to businesses you know and support. Local restaurants, retailers, service providers, spas, golf courses, professional offices, and community businesses are often willing to contribute gift certificates, products, services, or experiences when asked by someone they know.

Every donation, large or small, helps us create an auction that attracts bidders, generates excitement, and raises funds that support our Lodge activities, scholarships, charitable giving, and community outreach efforts.

Together, we can make the 2026 Silent Auction our best one yet.

Please bring your donations to our upcoming meetings:

Buona Fortuna General Meeting
Thursday, July 9 | 6:00 PM

Festa Italiana Planning Meeting
Sunday, July 12 | 2:00 PM

If you are unable to attend either meeting, I would be happy to arrange a pickup or coordinate a convenient drop-off location.

If you have an item to donate, ideas for a basket, or would like assistance approaching a business for a contribution, please contact me:

Ginny Barberi
Silent Auction Chair – Festa Italiana 2026
buonafortunapresident@gmail.com
(850) 944-4554
5853 Westshore Drive, Pensacola, FL 32526

Thank you for helping make Festa Italiana a success. Together, we'll create another outstanding Silent Auction for our community and our Buona Fortuna Family.