07/10/2026
We were so honored last night to be with the Sons and Daughters of Italy in Pensacola. Thank you so much for the donation to us. And thank you to our own Rosie Gasowski for the hospitality. These are funds that will go to pay for mammograms for underinsured or uninsured. We must detect it early.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
๐๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ $๐ญ,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ
PENSACOLA, Fla.
The Buona Fortuna Lodge #2835, Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, proudly presented a $1,000 charitable grant to the Pink Pirates of Navarre during the Lodge's General Meeting on July 9, 2026. Members of the Pink Pirates joined the Lodge to share their inspiring mission of providing access to life-saving breast cancer screenings before accepting the donation.
Founded in 2013, the Pink Pirates of Navarre is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization built on compassion, friendship, and the belief that early detection saves lives. Since its founding, the organization has raised and donated more than $200,000 to provide mammograms for uninsured and underinsured individuals throughout Northwest Florida while promoting breast cancer awareness and the importance of annual screenings.
The organization's story began with a promise made to a dear friend who was courageously battling breast cancer. Her dream was to turn Navarre Park pink to raise awareness about the impact breast cancer has on so many families. What began as one heartfelt promise has grown into a volunteer-driven movement that continues to provide hope, encouragement, and financial assistance to local families facing breast cancer.
Today, the Pink Pirates partner with White-Wilson Medical Center, the Santa Rosa County Health Department, and the Baptist Hospital Foundation Mammogram Fund to ensure that both women and men have access to critical breast cancer screenings. Every fundraiser and every donation helps remove financial barriers so individuals can receive potentially life-saving early detection.
The charitable grant was awarded following the nomination submitted by Buona Fortuna Lodge member Rosie Gasowski, whose connection to the organization is deeply personal. After relocating to the Navarre area, Gasowski was searching for a nonprofit where she could continue her lifelong commitment to community service, having previously volunteered with the Epilepsy Foundation in Pittsburgh. She met Pink Pirates founders Frankie and Barbara Gibbs at a local community event, where they shared the organization's story and mission.
Moved by their compassion and dedication, Gasowski immediately knew she wanted to become involved.
"What impressed me most was that every dollar raised stays right here in our community," said Gasowski. "The Pink Pirates are more than a fundraising organizationโthey are a family that offers hope, encouragement, and the opportunity for someone to receive a mammogram that could ultimately save their life. Their mission is built on neighbors helping neighbors, and I knew this was exactly the type of organization Buona Fortuna Lodge would be proud to support."
Representatives of the Pink Pirates thanked the Lodge for its generosity and shared how community partnerships make it possible to continue expanding access to breast cancer screenings for those who need them most.
"Our Lodge is proud to support organizations that truly make a difference in the lives of our neighbors," said Ginny Barberi, President of Buona Fortuna Lodge #2835. "The Pink Pirates of Navarre embody the spirit of compassion, service, and community. Their work ensures that financial hardship does not stand in the way of early detection, and we are honored to help advance their mission."
The Buona Fortuna Lodge Charity Committee, chaired by Rachelle Torjesen, awards grants throughout the year to nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Through the generosity of Lodge members and the success of the annual Festa Italiana, the Lodge supports organizations whose missions make a meaningful and lasting impact on our local community.
These charitable gifts are made possible through proceeds from the Lodge's annual Festa Italiana, which celebrates Italian heritage while funding scholarships and charitable grants that strengthen our community.
The 20th Annual Festa Italiana will be held October 9โ10, 2026, at Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola. The festival features authentic Italian cuisine, live entertainment, family activities, cultural exhibits, and more, with proceeds benefiting the Lodge's charitable and scholarship programs.
For more information about Buona Fortuna Lodge #2835 or Festa Italiana, visit www.BuonaFortunaLodge.org.
