Wolves Club of Youngstown celebrates education, Italian heritage

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR | Leaders of the Wolves Club of Youngstown are shown at a recent meeting. They are, from left, Michael Baca, treasurer; Joseph Meranto, president-elect; Anthony Monaco, president; Jack Zocolo, scholarship committee; Chelsey Santucci and Anthony Pondillo, directors; and Patrick Russo, secretary.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Currently, Youngstown State University has 26 students who have the Wolves Club of Youngstown to thank for four-year scholarships that have provided for their education. More than 200 other students have attended or graduated from YSU since 1995 with the help of Wolves Club scholarships.

The Wolves began in 1953 as a social organization of business and professional men whose mission was to provide undergraduate scholarships and financial assistance for educational programs based in Mahoning County.

The 69-member club has distributed more than $750,000 for scholarships and community projects since its inception through the Wolves Scholarship and Charitable Trust, a 501(c)(3) organization. Money raised through donations and fundraising events sponsored by the Wolves is all spent locally for higher education, at YSU and Mercy College of Ohio, St. Elizabeth campus program.

During the 2015-16 academic year, the Wolves have allotted $47,000 for YSU and nursing scholarship recipients. The YSU scholarships are awarded annually to eight to 10 graduating high school senior applicants in Mahoning County regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. Financial need based on total family income is a primary consideration in the award. Frank Scrocco, YSU financial-aid counselor, assists the Wolves by selecting candidates based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid results. The club also considers the applicant’s grade-point average and ACT score. Eligible students can apply for the scholarship through YSU or at the club’s website, www.wolvesclub youngstown.com; students must complete their FAFSA before applying. Student applicants interested in the Mercy College nursing scholarship are urged to contact the club at 330-480-5374.

The club also works to support YSU through other donations. The club recently provided $5,000 for the new Veterans Resource Center on campus. The Wolves also gave $500 for the Advanced Italian Language Program, for a total funding of $52,500 during the past year and $100,000 in total funding over the past two years. The club has a unique partnership arrangement with the YSU Foundation, working closely with Wolves member Atty. Carl Nunziato to build a matching fund partnership in place since 1995. The Wolves leverage their annual fundraising contributions by matching the amount with the foundation on a dollar per dollar basis. The Wolves and Mercy Health Foundation also recently agreed to a similar matching funds arrangement for the club’s nursing scholarship program.

The Wolves raise funds for scholarship programs each year through monthly meetings as well as fundraising events. The club hosts an annual polenta dinner each January that honors the patrons and supporters of the Wolves fundraising events from the prior year. There is also a reverse raffle dinner each April; YSU student scholarship winners are honored at a dinner celebration each May; a golf-outing fundraiser is offered in August; and the group hosts a Christmas dinner party. The group elects officers in September, and an annual installation dinner follows.

The club’s officers this year include Anthony Monaco, president; Joseph Meranto, president-elect; Michael Baca, treasurer; Patrick Russo, secretary; and Mark Taylor, scholarship committee chairman. The Wolves have a board of directors for the club and a scholarship and charitable trust board, scholarship committee and other committees that organize fundraising activities.

Along with its focus on education, the men of the Wolves Club work to celebrate their Italian heritage. The group takes pride in serving Italian specialties during events and meetings. One club member will serve as a menu chairman and arranges meals for the club’s dinner meetings.

The group meets bi-monthly at Stonebridge Tavern Restaurant, 1497 Boardman-Canfield Road, Canfield. Preparations are being made for the Wolves upcoming reverse raffle dinner and golf outings. Details on this year’s fundraising events are available on the club’s website.

Donations are always being accepted for the Wolves scholarship program. Make checks payable to Wolves Scholarship and Charitable Trust c/o Stifel, 3685 Stutz Drive, Suite 203, Canfield, Ohio, 44406. All donations to the trust are tax deductible.