Grunico, the Greater Ramsey chapter of the Italian-American service organization UNICO, is on a mission.

“We want to help people in our community,” said Lou LaVigna, the current President of the group, which serves a two-fold purpose of promoting Italian-American heritage, and giving back.

“Since becoming President, I’ve really pushed to get our charity efforts more involved with deserving organizations in Mahwah,” said LaVigna, who has been a member of Grunico for the past four years.

“People don’t realize that we serve Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Allendale, Franklin Lakes and Suffern in New York. We are looking for members from all of those towns.”

"There is also a large Italian-American community in Mahwah that we want to reach out to."

Grunico, which lives by the motto, “service above self” holds monthly dinners at which donation checks are presented to worthy non-profit groups and volunteer organizations.

For this month, the group will be presenting a check to the Mahwah Fire Department and EMTs on Monday, March 7 at Pizzette in Ramsey. 

“In typical Italian fashion, we mix food with business. All of our meetings involve good food,” LaVigna said.

A Grunico Board meets to decide the recipients of the monthly donations. Since this chapter’s founding six years ago, it has helped over two dozen organizations in the area.

The group also provides scholarships for seniors in Mahwah and Ramsey.

“The other part of our group is about cultural appreciation. Next month, we are planning a trip to Little Italy, and after that we will all be learning how to make fresh mozzarella cheese,” LaVigna said.

“And we are always looking for new members. People can reach out to us through our website,” he said.

In order to join Grunico, potential members must either be of Italian descent, or married to someone of Italian descent.

UNICO is a nationwide service organization.

According to Grunico’s website, “UNICO is an Italian word that means "unique." The individual letters stand for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity.”

To the current President, charity is the most important part of the cultural group.

“There are so many deserving organizations right here in our community, and I am proud to be part of an organization that gives back,” LaVigna said.