From sports to education to charities, Calgary Italian Sportsmen's Dinner giving back to the community

Over the past 59 years, the Calgary Italian Sportsmen's Dinner Association has donated over $2 million to local and national charities.

"It is our belief that those who are fortunate enough should help those around them.?This is the foundation of our organization, and the reason we host the dinner every year," says the association.

From schools, both secondary and post-secondary, to charities like Feed the Hungry, to sports organizations, and scholarships to student athletes, the dinner each year gives back significantly to the Calgary community in general - not just the Italian community.

Its next event is "An evening with?NFL Hall of Fame Running Back, Marcus Allen", on Thursday May 25 at St. Francis High School. The MC for the evening is Calgary FC goalkeeper, Marco Carducci.

"Welcome to the Calgary Italian Sportsmen's Dinner. Calgary's premier sportsmen's dinner where we celebrate everything Italian - food, wine, culture, camaraderie and good times, as well as honouring three high school students of Italian descent who excel in both athletics and academics each with a $5,000.00 scholarship and runners up with $1,000.00 and $500.00.?The Calgary Italian Sportsmen's Dinner has a rich and storied past.?We are a non-profit organization, and since our inception, have relied heavily on volunteerism.?The creation of this dinner dates back to the Spring of 1963 when Luca Carloni, one of the founding fathers of our dinner, called a breakfast meeting inviting prominent individuals in the Italian community," says the association.

"Join us for the opportunity to support Calgary's Italian heritage and community!"

For more information about the annual Calgary Italian Sportsmen's Dinner and ticket information for this year's event, visit: https://www.italiansportsmen.com/

Marcus Allen is one of the greatest NFL and Collegiate Running Backs of all time.?A former Heisman Trophy winner and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, Marcus Allen will long be remembered as one of the best to ever play the game at any level.?As a Super Bowl Champ, Super Bowl MVP, League MVP, and comeback player of the year, Marcus is arguably the most decorated athlete of all-time.

Even now, Marcus Allen’s career continues to impress fans of both the college and professional level.?He is arguably the best goal line runner to have ever played the game.?A true Hall of Famer, his career on the field was the stuff of legends and he continues to live up to his reputation as an All-Star even in retirement.

Marco Christian Carducci?is a?Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC and Canada national team.

First CPL player to get a call to the Canadian National team. Won the 2019 VW Premier Performer of the Year award and the Golden Glove award. Tallied 9 clean sheets in 2019, most in regular season play.