Who We Are

We are a national organization of men and women who represent the estimated 26 million Americans of Italian heritage, dedicated to promoting our culture, our traditions, our language, the legacy of our ancestors, and our contributions to the U.S. and the world.

We are sons and daughters, grandmothers and grandfathers. We are corporate executives and we are union members...young students and retirees...teachers and attorneys...doctors and firefighters...bakers and musicians...and everything in between.

We are proud and patriotic Americans of Italian heritage. We exemplify the very best of what it is to be Italian American.

The Order Sons of Italy (OSIA ) was established in 1905 as a mutual aid society for early Italian immigrants. OSIA today has more than 600,000 members and supporters and a network of 700 chapters coast to coast.

Benefits of Your Membership

A subscription to IL LEONE, our monthly newspaper, and all OSIA publications, including Italian America, our national membership magazine.
  • Scholarship and educational opportunities at local, state, and national levels.
  • Information regarding the National Leadership Grant Competition, Washington Internship Program, and National Mentor Program.
  • Opportunities to join OSIA's influential voice in domestic and international affairs.
  • Discount hotel, car rental, and travel programs.
  • An outlet for volunteer energies and professional expertise to assist the Italian-American community in your area.

Call or email our Membership Chairman NOW...
Hugh Ricci 775-851-2169 or [email protected]

Visit the National Automobile Museum in Downtown Reno and see our adopted car the Ghia, formerly owned by 
Frank Sinatra

Monthly Dinner Meetings

​Our monthly meetings are usually the fourth Wednesday of each month.  They are held at the Elks Lodge located at 597 Kumle Lane, Reno, Nevada.  We request you RSVP.  Dinner is $15 per person. See the Newsletter for more information.  

Special thanks to:
Scholarships are OPEN

Through the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), and hundreds of thousands of family members located in all fifty states and the District of Columbia, the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) has awarded nearly $61 million in scholarships to date. In past years, the SIF has offered 10 to 15 merit-based scholarships (National Leadership Grants), ranging from $4,000 to $25,000, in a nationwide competition. Last year, students received a total of $85,000 in merit-based scholarships!
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The Reno Sons of Italy (Cristoforo Colombo Lodge #1534) was established in 1929 as a fraternal organization promoting Italian culture and heritage.
We welcome you to join us at the Reno Sons of Italy Lodge. By joining our fraternal organization you will enjoy such benefits as:
  • A monthly newsletter of local interest
  • Opportunity to be around members of Italian heritage and learn more about the Italian culture
  • Get the youth involved in language and culture projects
  • Be a part of the Great Italian Festival and cook your family sauce recipe
  • Enjoy meeting people from other lodges at conventions and dinners
  • Participate in the annual Festa Primavera and picnic
  • Pride in being part of the oldest and largest Italian organization in the USA
  • Giving to our local community by awarding scholarships, supporting the Savitt Medical Library at the University of Nevada, and giving to local charities
  • Opportunities for Leadership and personal growth

Giving Back to the Local Community

We are philanthropists. Today, our non profit organization works on many projects including contributions to the Savitt Medical Library at the University of Nevada, and merit-based scholarships to local students of Italian descent.  During the Christmas season we donate to Veteran Organizations  in the community and children suffering from cancer.  Additional projects and donations are discussed by the membership as well as supporting the national charities of the Order such as the Cooley's Anemia Foundation.

​What Does Your Italian Heritage Mean to You?

Each of us might answer that question a little differently...
  • Cooking traditional holiday meals.
  • Celebrating religious traditions.
  • Relating to family and friends.
  • Speaking Italian and traveling to Italy.
  • Being raised in a traditional Italian neighborhood.

As immigrants to the United States or descendants of Italian immigrants, we express pride in our heritage and are part of the enduring, strong and colorful community.

We are a Reno Fraternal organization, dedicated to promoting the culture and heritage of Italy and giving back to our community.