Cento Amici Welcomes Lt. Gen. Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret.)
Jamie DeVivo, Zito Partners
As published in My Central Jersey
November 7, 2015
Frank Libutti and 95-year old Marine, Joseph Gianvito.
Lt. Gen. Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret) and Bob Zito of Cento Amici.
Lieutenant General Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret.) became an “Honorary Member” of Cento Amici at the organization’s 27th Annual Dinner and Auction on Oct. 13 at Alfie’s Ristorante Italiano in Warren.
With more than 40 years of service defending our nation, Libutti embodies a natural leader. At the time of his retirement, Libutti was the Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Pacific headquartered at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.
“I’ve known General Libutti for many, many years,” said Colonel Jack Jacobs, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and NBC military analyst, in introducing Libutti. “His enthusiasm, passion and leadership are the very qualities that we hope will inspire the children and young adults whom are the future of our country.”
“Our goal is to help as many students as we can through our scholarships,” added Robert Zito, Cento Amici founder and president. “The money we raise at our events is used to create scholarships and help young deserving students fulfill their dreams.
“We are thrilled to welcome another American hero to the Cento Amici family,” Zito added.
Founded in 1989, Cento Amici (100 Friends) is a community-based, member organization dedicated to providing need-based scholarship assistance to qualified students in New Jersey. Cento Amici’s mission is to enhance the educational opportunities for those who need it most and who are most under-served by existing need-based programs. Cento Amici currently supports scholarships at the following institutions: Montclair State University, St. Anthony High School, St. Peter’s Prep, The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), and Union County College.
Proceeds from this year’s dinner will fund Cento Amici’s scholarships and an endowed fund for future scholarships.