Ellwood City Wolves Club Celebrates 75th Anniversary With Dinner

The Ellwood City Wolves Club Den 11 celebrated their 75th Anniversary with a Dinner at the Connoquenessing Country Club on Wednesday.

The Dinner was attended by 85 members and their guests, including the current National Wolves Club President, Craig Mamone of Rochester, PA.

The master of ceremonies, long time member Ray Santillo, conducted the program and highlighted the history of the club. The club began in 1948 by four local businessmen (Brothers Deno and Frank Barsotti, P O Contrucci and A P Folino) chartered in 1951 and received their seal in 1954. These businessmen wanted to help their community. Their first project was raffling off a car with the proceeds donated to the Ellwood City Hospital to purchase an X ray machine. Thus began the Club’s moto: “Pro Bono Publico”: translated as for the good of the public. Further projects helped the Ellwood City Borough parks with water fountains, basketball courts, scoreboards as well as providing over 3 million dollars in scholarships throughout the years.

Member Cosmo Morabito initiated the committee to have a 75th Anniversary celebration as the Club had missed their 50th Anniversary. A committee was set up and a 75th Anniversary Book for the membership and Program was designed and printed.

Current Wolves Club Den 11 President Mike DeOtto welcomed the guests. Guests included Wolves Club National President Craig Mamone and his father John Mamone, Pastor James Wehner of Divine Grace Parish, local businesses Pete’s Uptown and Nico’s Restaurant and Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court.

Father James Wehner conducted the invocation and a buffet dinner of cod, sirloin and chicken was presented to the members and their guests.

After dinner Toasts were made to the Wives by Doc Barsotti, a second generation member of the Wolves Club Den 11. Doc thanked the wives and significant others of the members for allowing the members to spend the volunteer hours needed to help the community. A Toasts was made to the National by Craig Mamone, current National wolves Club President, who continued the theme of being grateful to those members helping the community. Toasts were also made to the Deceased Members by John Biondi who remarked that by Divine Grace we have had and continue to have members who truly wanted to help their community, Wolves Membership by Den 11 Vice President Tom Yoho again noting how many hours each member gives to assist in their projects. The Wolves Club Den 11 hosted the first After Prom in Ellwood City. Member Joe Cioffi Toasted Community for supporting the projects. 75th Anniversary Book Co-Chair Denny Boariu provided a Toast to Scholarship highlighting the first one given was in 1953 and continues by providing $17,000 worth of scholarships this year. 75th Anniversary Dinner Chairman Ray Santillo Toasted all the members involved in the numerous projects over the years: The annual Ellwood City Arts Crafts Festival, Oktoberfest and Golf Bash.

Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court provided a Proclamation to the Wolves Club making April 12, 2023 as Wolves Club Day.

Fr James Wehner closed the dinner with the benediction.