Types
About Unico Merrimack Valley
It was Dr. Michael Terlizzi’s dream to create an Italian-American service organization in the Merrimack Valley to be modeled after UNICO National and to engage in charitable works, support higher education, and perform patriotic deeds and most especially retain a connection to our Italian Heritage.
An existing UNICO Chapter in Worcester agreed to sponsor the Merrimack Valley Chapter along with the support of the Springfield Chapter.
Led by Dr. Michael Terlizzi, UNICO Merrimack Valley was founded in March 3, 1990 in Andover, Massachusetts. A group of (31) prominent men of the Merrimack Valley, came together to create what has become a very special and proud organization.
Our Objectives:
To promote and enhance the Image of Italian Americans;
For members to be of service to the community
To promote Italian heritage and culture; to promote, support and assist charitable, scientific, cultural, educational, and literary projects
To promote members' interest in public welfare; and, to cooperate with others in civic, social and cultural development.
From a national standpoint, the name UNICO was selected as best representing the nature and the character of this fledgling organization. The name is the Italian word for “unique”, one of a kind. The founders believed that UNICO would be the only one of its kind because it placed service to the community before and above fraternity. At the same time they hoped that the rest of society would come to know and understand the real contributions of Italian Americans to our way of life. Its sole purpose was to unite all Italian Americans and motivate them to become more civic minded. In order to accomplish this, members would have to understand that they would have to make sacrifices, not for personal gain, but for service to others. In the ensuing years UNICO became an acronym that stood for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity.
Locations
Primary Office Location
(603) 952-3445