About Us
Buona Fortuna Activities
Get to know Buona Fortuna Lodge and learn about our activities on our regularly updated Facebook page. Photos of our past and current events can be found in our Facebook albums.
You’ll see that Buona Fortuna Lodge is very adept at finding opportunities to celebrate our Italian heritage and culture while doing good works for our Pensacola community!
Time to join the fun!
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay abreast of what we're up to. And email us with any questions.
Monthly Social : We meet for a monthly social hour and dinner on the second Thursday of each month. Guests are welcome! Details can be found on our Membership page.
Fundraising Events: Our fundraising events — such as Festa Italiana and our shrimp scampi booth at the Seafood Festival — allow us to grant scholarships to deserving high school seniors and to donate to several local charities annually.
Dining Out: Each month, Buona Fortuna members gather in a local Italian restaurant to enjoy good food and fellowship.
Golf and Bocce Ball Tournaments, Pizza Parties, Holiday Celebrations, and More! Buona Fortuna members seize every opportunity to celebrate with parties, dances, and picnics — all with Italian fare and flare, of course!
Charities
This year, we are on track to almost double the amount given to charities last year. This Spring, we gave $7,000 to local and national charities. See photos of these check presentations in our Charities 2022 Album. Our charity committee will be announcing an additional $7,000 at our November social hour and dinner, to total $14,000 budgeted for 2022!
Scholarship Opportunities at Buona Fortuna Lodge
“Receiving the scholarship has given me the opportunity to further my education and made me feel all my hard work was worth it.” Alia Lopez
.“Any financial assistance helps relieve schooling and housing costs, so I can more easily concentrate on my education” Abigail Grace Arnette
Buona Fortuna Lodge is proud to offer several scholarship opportunities to support students of Italian descent or partial Italian descent, encouraging academic excellence, leadership, and cultural heritage. These scholarships are designed to help students pursue higher education while honoring their Italian roots.
Scholarships for High School Students of Italian-American Descent in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties:
These scholarships are available to high school students of Italian-American descent who are graduating from schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties or are home-schooled in these counties. The scholarships support students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to their cultural heritage.
1. Buona Fortuna Lodge Scholarship
The Buona Fortuna Lodge Scholarship is designed to support high school students of Italian-American descent from Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties or those who are home-schooled in these counties. This scholarship aims to reward students who excel academically and demonstrate leadership qualities, helping them continue their education and build a brighter future.
2. Lotito Family Scholarship: Honoring Legacy and Education
The Lotito Family Scholarship, established by John Lotito in memory of his father, Frank Lotito, honors Frank’s belief in the transformative power of education. Frank, a son of Italian immigrants from Calabria, USA, worked hard to achieve success and instilled these values in his son. This scholarship is open to high school students of Italian-American descent who wish to pursue higher education, reflecting Frank’s commitment to hard work, perseverance, and the opportunities education provides.
3. Russo Family Scholarship: Honoring Heritage and Education
The Russo Family Scholarship, now in its 13th year, is offered by Patricia Russo to honor her family’s deep roots in Taurasi, Italy. Despite facing financial challenges, Patricia’s family always believed in the power of education. This scholarship aims to support students of Italian descent from Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, empowering them to pursue their academic goals while honoring the hard work, community values, and dedication to education that have shaped Patricia’s family legacy.
Scholarship for Direct Descendants of Buona Fortuna Lodge Members:
This scholarship is available to high school students who are direct descendants (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.) of current Buona Fortuna Lodge members, regardless of their geographic location. It recognizes the strong family connections to the Lodge and provides financial support for students pursuing their educational goals.
4. La Famiglia Scholarship
The La Famiglia Scholarship is open to students who are direct descendants of current Buona Fortuna Lodge members, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and further generations. This scholarship is available to students no matter where they live, honoring their family ties to the Lodge and supporting their continued educational journeys.
These scholarships reflect Buona Fortuna Lodge’s ongoing dedication to preserving and promoting Italian-American heritage, culture, and education. We encourage all eligible students to apply and continue their educational journeys with the support of these scholarships.
