In 2011, when he established the Rugiero Promise Foundation, a volunteer-only organization it was driven on a commitment to “improving the quality of life in the communities we serve “. Since its inception, the Rugiero Promise Foundation has supported the following charities:
- Antonio Rugiero Diabetes Fund U-M Comprehensive Diabetes Center
- Capuchins Soup Kitchen
- National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
- Earthquake Rescue Fund, Italy
- Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan
- Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
- Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
- University of Detroit Mercy, Volterra, Italy Residential College
- Wayne County Goodfellows
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Foundation
- Boys and Girls Towns of Italy
- Boys Hope Girls Hope
- Oakwood Hospital Foundation
- St. Jude Hospital
- ILICA (Italian Language Inter-cultural Alliance)
- St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Center
In addition, throughout the year, the Rugiero Promise Foundation sponsors a number of annual charity events to raise money and awareness for local charities including a signature event honoring his father’s memory, Rugiero Casino Royale, that supports type 2 diabetes research at the University of Michigan Center for Diabetes Research. Anthony feels blessed to be able to give back to the community. “I made a vow that, in gratitude for all of God’s blessings, our family would never stop working to help those less fortunate.”
I encourage everyone to join me in getting behind these charities and making a difference to the many people they serve.
Foundation
- Chairman – Rugiero Promise Foundation
Supporting
- Midwest Regional Director – ILICA
- Chairman – International Heritage Foundation
- Sponsor Partner – Dearborn Heights Spirit Festival
- Chairman – International Institute Foundation
- Room Naming – Volterra International Residential College
- Mid-East Director – Italian Language Inter-Cultural Alliance (ILICA)
- Organizer – IL VOLO Encore Benefit Dinner supporting three charities
- Event Sponsor – Spirit Festival of Dearborn
- Lead Sponsor – SOCK Capuchins Soup Kitchen
- Activist – Campaigning for funds to remodel and update the John F. Kennedy Jr. Library and the Caroline Kennedy Library, Dearborn Heights Michigan
- Board Member – Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Foundation
- Board Member – Italian American Club of Livonia
- Guest Speaker – Festa della Repubblica Italianna, Italian American Cultural Center
Signature Events
- Italian Film Festival USA April 2-27 (2014)
- Annual Opera Day at Antonio’s and Roman Village Restaurants – Benefits the Detroit Opera House
- Annual Feast of St. Antonio, Day of Charity – Benefits various charities chosen to be a recipient each year
- Salute our Veterans’ – Benefits All U.S. Armed Forces past and present
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month of October – Benefits financial assistance to women during their treatment and recovery from Breast Cancer and providing screening for the uninsured.
- Rugiero Casino Royale – Honoring Antonio Rugiero Sr. to benefit U of M Diabetes Research Center
- Annual Lunch with Santa – Benefits the “Goodfellows” organization to benefit no child without a Christmas
- Italian Opera Night – supporting Michigan Opera Theatre
- Volterra, Italy International Residential College Scholarship Campaign collaborating with the University of Detroit Mercy college of Architecture Volterra-Detroit Foundation
Community Activities
- Chairman — International Institute Foundation (2013-present)
- Michigan Lead – Italian Film Festival
- University of Detroit Mercy, Volterra – Detroit Foundation (2011-Present)
- NW Regional Director – ILICA Board of Directors ( 2007 – Present)
- Michigan Regional Director – Boys Town of Italy (2009 – Present)
- Board of Trustees – Michigan Opera Theater (Present)
- Board of Trustees – International Institute Foundation (2009 – Present)
- Executive Committee – Spirit Festival of Dearborn Heights (Present)
- Board of Director – Patrons of the Vatican (1998- Present)
- Member – Italian American Alliance for Business and Technology IAABT – (Present)
- Committee – SOCK Capuchins Soup Kitchen (2009-Present)
- Member – Legatus (2009 – Present)
- Member – National Italian American Foundation NIAF
- Executive Committee – Detroit Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
- Committee – Andrea Bocelli in Concert
- Committee – The Three Tenors Concert in Detroit (1986)
- Fundraising Committee – Luciano Pavarotti Detroit Performance
- Member – Canton Chamber of Commerce
- Member – Farmington Hills Chamber of Commerce
- Member – Dearborn Heights Chamber of Commerce
- Member – City of Dearborn Chamber of Commerce
- Member – Michigan Chamber of Commerce
- Member – Dearborn Rotary Club
