The Norwalk Sons of Italy Pietro Micca Lodge #744 was founded in Norwalk on July 12, 1917. The group began in South Norwalk and in 1999 purchased their new building at 162 New Canaan Avenue, which features a banquet hall, restaurant and two bars. Membership is open to the public. Today the club hosts a membership of 475, many whom are not Italian. The national organization, The Order Sons of Italy in America, was founded in 1905 in New York City by six Italian immigrants. It is the oldest, largest and most demographically diverse organization representing Italian heritage in North America. There are more than 90,000 members and 890 lodges in the United States. The Norwalk Sons of Italy holds many social events throughout the year including Ladies’ Night on the fourth Thursday of each month, Men’s Night on the last Monday of each month, Bingo every Tuesday, karaoke and seasonal trips. The group raises thousands of dollars through socials and fund-raisers to be given to worthy organizations in Norwalk and to the Marconi Scholarship Fund, awarding $4,000 to a deserving student from one of Norwalk’s three high schools.