Joey Baldino feels blessed to be running the Palizzi Social Club, which since 1918 has been preserving, sharing and promoting Italian culture in South Philadelphia.

The founders – all tracing their heritage to the Abruzzese village of Vasto – “wanted to become Americans and assimilate into our culture, but they wanted to keep their traditions, ethnicity and pride in being Italian,” he said. “So for me to continue what they started is an honor and a privilege.”