Columbus Lodge and Pro-Wrestler Agree to Rematch

The Columbus Lodge No. 2143 Order Sons of Italy in America and the Arthritis Foundation are planning the "Second Annual AF Benefit Softball Game" between professional wrestler Sunny Beach and his all-star team against the Sons of Italy. This year's fund raising event will be held at John J. Burns Park, in Massapequa, on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Columbus Lodge No. 2143 OSIA's Ed Bochynski (3rd from left) presents Universal Wrestling Champion Sunny Beach (3rd from right) with a $5,000 donation at the First Annual Arthritis Foundation Softball Challenge, held at Burns Park in Massapequa. Among the others on hand for the presentation were WALK-FM's David Weiss (front, left) Arthritis Foundation's VP Patricia Brasley (front, right) Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto (2nd from right) and OSIA's David Saviano (right).

According to Patricia Brasley, executive vice president of the Arthritis Foundation of Long Island, Universal Wrestling Federation Champion Sunny Beach is assembling his all-star team. "Both Sunny Beach and David Weiss (97.5 WALK-FM) are recruiting hard for us," said Brasley. The Columbus Lodge No. 2143, of South Farmingdale, will represent the Sons of Italy.

Founded in 1905, the Sons of Italy is the oldest, largest, and most demographically diverse organization representing 23 million men and women of Italian heritage in North America. The Columbus Lodge No. 2143, one of 750 OSIA chapters, is located in South Farmingdale. Since 1964, its members have donated time, money and energy to various local area and national charities.

"Last year, the Sons of Italy provided the Arthritis Foundation with such an exciting new event that we are eager to get rolling in 1999," said Shannon Luongo, director of Special Events for the Arthritis Foundation.

In the first annual AF Benefit Softball Game, Sunny Beach and the Home Care America All-Stars defeated the Sons of Italy, in an exciting 14-12 game, which ended with the tying runs on base. "I was hoarse from all the cheering," said John Juba, a North Massapequa resident and spectator of last year's event.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints usually caused by wear and tear, injury, or infection. There are more than 100 types of Arthritis, ranging from mild to disabling. The Arthritis Foundation is the only not-for-profit health association searching to find the causes behind all forms of arthritis and the means for their prevention and cure.

For information regarding the softball event, or the Arthritis Foundation, one may call Jeff Jackson at 427-8272. For further information about becoming a member of the Columbus Lodge No. 2143 Order Sons of Italy in America and (or) information regarding charity softball games (whether participating or sponsoring), one may call Pete Gisonda at 798-3972.