In 1972, a handful of individuals whose roots are from lower Lazio and more precisely from La Ciociaria, launched a success story by promoting solidarity and friendship via the founding of the Ciociaro Club. Their purpose was to gather, preserve and protect the identity of the people of La Ciociaria as preserved in public, historic and geographic representations.The success of the Ciociaro Club was not a casual happening but was the result of main might relatable to the grit of the heirs of a people whose roots are embedded in an existence counted in millennia. Respect is owed to and satisfaction is derived by all Ciociari who succeeded in tasting the full flavour of the fruits earned from the sweat of their brows. The inhere in the ever-present nostalgia which grips them and which reaffirms the worthiness of their past marked by the vicissitudes of pathos, travails and adversity. They are understandably proud and full of dignity and resolve and at the same time, they are moved by the accomplishment of erecting this enormous building which was conceived and then constructed during the period of their acculturation in this part of Canada where they chose to live, and where they prosper - much like the plants in their gardens cultivated with loving hands.
The imprint of their native land is always present and poignant as is evidenced by the many traditional activities which they organize and by the frequency with which they return to visit La Ciociaria; all of which bonds them anew to this dream become reality: the Ciociaro Club.
One cannot reasonably omit flagging, in brief compass, a few milestones in the history of this success. From an early meeting in 1972 attended by six individuals, to years of activities of various kinds, including sports, cultural events, and events celebrating tradition, all registering unprecedented attendance-and sometimes with an occasional misstep along the way-today, the result is a success story. While funds were bring collected to erect the building, events of every kind were being organized: dinners, special evenings, lotteries, picnics and tournaments. Various sports groups such as the bocce ball group, anglers and hunters, trap-shooters, were distinguishing themselves in competition with other clubs. The trap-shooting group won the Canadian championship three times. The Ciociaro folklore group carried our traditions of dance and song onto both the Canadian and American stage, and even performed in our homeland. While all of these various phases of the construction of the magnificent edifice with consistency and meticulous care. In the space of a very short time, the Ciociaro, this unknown and sometimes little understood person, succeeded in imprinting his values, his defining qualities developed over millennia, not only earning respect and esteem for his own region of Italy but for the entire Italian community. He acculturated seamlessly and effortlessly into the Canadian multicultural mosaic. The Ciociaro Club has played and active role in various community events such as: The Freedom Festival, The Carousel of Nations, parades and special celebrations and has been one of the largest benefactors in collecting funds for various philanthropic organizations such as the Cancer Society, the Children's Rehabilitation Centre, Muscular Dystrophy, the Spina Bifida Association, Easter Seals, The Italian Handicapped Association, the Windsor Symphony and St. Angela Merici Church. In January of 1999, the club donated fully $50,000 to the Cancer Centre on the strength of on single event.
