Welcome to the California Law Enforcement Columbia Association
October 2, 2020 1 Comment
MID-YEAR DINNER
SAVE THE DATE
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO THE FESTA TAB
CLECA BOARD KICKS OFF 2026
The California Law Enforcement Columbia Association Board of Directors held its initial meeting on January 22 to wrap up 2025 and map out events for 2026. CLECA was joined by the National Association of Carabinieri – SF Section for their meeting as well.
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CLECA’S SEASON OF GIVING CONTINUES
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- SF Junior Deputies
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- SF PAL Cadet Program
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- EPA PD Xmas Toy Drive
CHRISTMAS & AWARDS DINNER 2025
Thanks to all who joined us for the California Law Enforcement Columbia Association Christmas & Awards Dinner Dance to recognize these deserving officers; (L to R) Columbia President Leo Pierini, Lifetime Achievement Awardee Deputy Chief Steve Tacchini, Service Awardee Officer Gerry Calgaro, Lifetime Achievement Awardee Inspector Gianrico Pierucci, and Service Awardee Inspector Reno Rapagnani. For more photos, go to the EVENT PHOTOS tab.
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DUES ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED FOR 2026
ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH ACTIVITIES
(For more photos of the month’s activities, go to the EVENT PHOTOS Tab)
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SEASON OF GIVING BEGINS 2025
The California Columbia Association began this year’s mission of supporting various programs throughout the SF Bay Area. Below is the presentation to the South San Francisco Athletic Club Soccer Team for a sponsorship for the 2025-2026 season. Below that is the presentation to the South San Francisco Police Activities League Program.
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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO FESTA ITALIANA
SEPTEMBER 14, 2025
PRESENTED BY THE COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION, THE ITALIAN AMERICAN CITIZENS CLUB OF SSF & THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
See FESTA ITALIANA Tab for PHOTOS
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COLUMBIA BOARD MEETING – MAY 18
Columbia Board Meeting at Historic Teani’s Italian Deli. For more photos of various events, go to the EVENT PHOTOS tab.
NIGHT IN NORTH BEACH & BOARD MEETING – MARCH 2025
Great turn-out for the Columbia Board Meeting and Night in North Beach. Thanks to our host Dario at Pellegrini’s Restuarant. Plans are already in the works for another Night in North Beach in July or August. For more photos, click on the EVENTS PHOTOS tab above.
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GET READY FOR ALL THE
ITALIAN ACTIVITIES FOR 2025
SFPD ITALIAN PATCHES – $10 EACH
EMAIL THE COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION AT
COLUMBIACA@YAHOO.COM
YOU CAN PAY VIA CHECK TO THE MAILING ADDRESS OR ZELLE
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COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 2025
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION
CHRISTMAS & AWARDS DINNER 2024
Congratulations to Lea Militello (left center) and Frank Palma (right center) for receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Columbia Association Dinner on December 15. For more photos go to the EVENT PHOTOS tab
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SEASON OF GIVING 2024
The Columbia Association is proud to support youth programs
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SHERIFF’S SEARCH & RESCUE CADET PROGRAM
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PAL PROGRAM
SAN FRANCISCO PAL CADET PROGRAM
EAST PALO ALTO POLICE TOY DRIVE
(For more photos go to the EVENT PHOTOS tab)
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COLUMBIA’S SPONSORED SOCCER SQUAD
THE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO ATHLETIC CLUB
(Go to the SSFAC Tab for more details)
Columbia President Leo Pierini (R) makes the sponsorship of the South San Francisco Athletic Club soccer squad official with Coach Kevin Ma at a Board Meeting on September 12.
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SF ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE 2024
Thanks to all that joined us for the Italian Heritage Parade 2024. For more photos of the parade and flag raisings go to the EVENTS PHOTOS TAB
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FESTA DELLA REPUBBLICA
SF Italian Flag Raising Ceremony 2024
ITALIAN FESTIVAL – SAN FRANCISCO 2024
COLUMBIA BOARD MEETING – APRIL 2024
Special thanks to Harrold Teani for letting us hold our April 2024 Columbia Board Meeting at Teani’s Deli in South San Francisco. Teani (R, above) and fellow SSF Reserve Officer Dante Benvenuti. Circa late 1960s.
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Greetings from Florence, Italy
Columbia President Leo Pierini presents two of our fellow officers in Florence with a CLECA patch. April 2024
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ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVITIES 2024
It was a fun day joining in the San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade with so many fellow Italian organizations. We hope to have our Irish friends join us in the Italian Heritage Parade on October 13, 2024.
SUPPORTING LOCAL PAL PROGRAMS
The Columbia Association continues to support our local programs that benefit our youth and instills life lessons that that can take into adulthood. Pictured above (l to R) is South San Francisco Police Activities League President Dave Gallagher, Columbia President Leo Pierini and SSFPD PAL Coordinator and Columbia Sergeant-At-Arms Mark Kosta.
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CHRISTMAS & AWARDS DINNER 2023
On December 3, 2023 the California Law Enforcement Columbia Association held its annual Christmas & Awards Dinner honoring Donna DeMartini Loftus, Ernie Ferrando, Anna Giuliacci Brown, Michael (Cavallo) Holland and Jennifer Consalvi Hodges. For more photos of the evening, go to the EVENTS PHOTOS tab on this website.
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SEASON OF GIVING 2023
On November 7, Columbia President Leo Pierini (far left) and Board Chairman Tim Gatto (far right) presented a donation of $2,500.00 to the East Palo Alto Police Department for their 2023 Christmas Toy Drive.
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ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE 2023
The 2023 Italian Heritage Parade in San Francisco’s North Beach was held on October 8, 2023. For more photos go to the Event Photos tab.
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FESTA ITALIANA – SSF 2024
The crowd at the Festa Italiana – South San Francisco 2023 enjoyed a Car Show, Italian food and many other attractions on Sunday, September 24, 2023. For more photos, go to the Festa tab on this website.
The first South San Francisco Festa Italiana 2023 took place on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Orange Memorial Park from 11 am to 5 pm. The event brought in a crowd of 1500 to 2000 folks who enjoyed the music, the interactive Kid’s Zone and the many displays showcasing Italian Heritage and History as well as the history of South San Francisco. We want to thank all the sponsors, vendors, volunteers and those who came to enjoy the day for making the event a success. We will be back next year.
The Festa was a presentation of a partnership between the City of South San Francisco, the Italian American Citizens Club of South San Francisco, and the California Law Enforcement Columbia Association with contributions from several brother and sister Italian organizations throughout the area. It was an opportunity to showcase, celebrate and share the rich Italian history and culture of the peninsula and, thanks to a number of folks who put in the work to make it happen, was a great success.
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COLUMBIA BOARD & MEMBERS MEETING – JUNE 2023
The Executive Officers and Board of Directors held a meeting in June at O’ Sole Mio Restaurant in Millbrae. We highly recommend the restaurant for its warm atmosphere and friendly and welcoming owner and employees.
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A NIGHT IN NORTH BEACH
Our award winners from the 2022 Christmas Dinner were again recognized when the Columbia Board and members met for a great dinner at Mona Lisa Mare e Monti in North Beach on March 30, 2023. Thanks to owners Filomena and Maurizio for a fine night. For more photos, go to the EVENTS PHOTOS tab.
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COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION BEGINS 2023
The first Board & Members Meeting of 2023 for the California Law Enforcement Columbia Association was held at the West Coast Cafe in San Bruno on January 26. Officers and Board Members were sworn in and we look forward to the year ahead.
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SUPPORTING YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND OUR FURTURE
In December 2023, the Columbia Association went to the East Palo Alto Police Department to present Chief Jeff Liu (fourth from right) with a $1,000.00 for the Rich May Foundation and $1,000.00 for the EPAPD Toy Drive. Also pictured are Heather Mulligan-Gonzalez, Tim Gatto, Leo Pierini, and Angel Sanchez.
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Columbia Association & IPA
Christmas & Awards Dinner 2022
Thanks to all that attended the Columbia Association & IPA Christmas and Awards Dinner. We hope you had a wonderful time and we wish all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. For more photos, click on the EVENT PHOTOS tab.
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Columbia Association
contributes to the
San Francisco PAL Cadet Program
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ITALIAN HERITAGE BOCCE TOURNAMENT
Provides for Youth Activities
(L to R) President Leo Pierini, PAL Boosters Ruth & Dan De Nardi and SSFPD Sgt. Mark Kosta
The Italian Heritage Bocce Tournament, held on October 23, 2022, at the Italian American Citizens Club (IACC) facilities in SSF was sponsored by the Columbia Association in an effort to raise funds for the SSF Police Activities League. Through the participation and generosity of the IACC, the SF Italian Athletic Club and the Italian American Social Club of SF, $2000.00 was presented the SSFPD Sgt. Mark Kosta, who coordinates the PAL activities.
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THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE
ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE
AND
ALL THE ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS 2022
A GREAT SUCCESS
For more photos of the flag raising, the parade and the Grand Italian Ball
go to the EVENT PHOTOS tab on this website
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California Law Enforcement Columbia Association
Contributes to So. San Francisco Police Activities League program
Columbia Association President Leo Pierini (left) and Board Chairman Tim Gatto (right) present a check for $5,000.00 to Sgt. Mark Kosta and Dave Gallegher of the South San Francisco Police Activities League to assist in their youth programs. The presentation was held at the SSF PAL Boosters Bocce Tournament on October 1, 2022 at the Italian American Citizens Club in SSF.
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FESTA DELLA REPUBBLICA
June 2022
Celebration of Italian National & Republic Day
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APRIL 2022 BOARD & MEMBERS MEETING
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PROMOTING YOUTH SOCCER
Columbia Association President Leo Pierini (L) presents Coach Joe LaSala with a check for $500.00 and a Columbia patch to help cover costs for the 2022 season of the Hurricanes Youth Soccer Team.
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CHRISTMAS & AWARDS DINNER
2021
The Awardees for the 2021 Columbia Law Enforcement Columbia Association Dinner. See more photos in the EVENTS PHOTOS section.
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2021
ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE
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TOWN OF COLMA
HONORS ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH 2021
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The Columbia Association is a proud supporter of
For more information, go to https://www.baleaf.org/
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FROM THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
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YOU CAN STILL JOIN OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE
CALIFORNIA COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION
DOWNLOAN AN APPLICATION AND MAIL TO:
The California Law Enforcement Columbia Association
P.O. BOX 330416, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133-0416
OR EMAIL YOUR APPLICATION AND PAY VIA PAYPAL
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ColumbiaAssociation
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Italian Heritage Month October 2020
The Italian Heritage Parade, Italian Consulate and SFIAC presented a month of Italian cuisine, culture, music and community culminating with a full weekend of events October 9-11. The California Law Enforcement Columbia Association played an active role in these events and also took the lead in the generous Town of Colma raising the Italian Flag above its Community Center and making an official proclamation in honor of October being Italian Heritage Month.
MEETING WITH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY 2020
Members of the National Association of Carabinieri -SF met with Consulate General of Italy Lorenzo Ortona on Friday, October 9, 2020.
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CHRISTMAS & AWARDS DINNER 2019
The Annual California Law Enforcement Columbia Association and International Police Association Christmas Dinner and Awards Presentation featured retired SFPD Sergeant James Pera (left) receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by retired SFPD Sergeant Steve Bosshard. For more photos from the event, click on the EVENT PHOTOS tab.
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PRESIDENT OF ITALY VISITS SAN FRANCISCO
President of Italy Sergio Mattarella (far left) about to be greeted by California Columbia Association President Leo Pierini (far right) during his visit to San Francisco on October 18, 2019. For more photos go to the EVENTS PHOTOS tab.
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ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE 2019
For more photos from the Parade go to the EVENT PHOTOS tab
https://youtu.be/-_5_gdKW76k
ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH 2019
On October 11, 2019 festivities were held at San Francisco City Hall to celebrate October as Italian Heritage Month. In attendance was Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri – San Francisco President Marcellino Genelli (far left), SF Supervisor Catherine Stefani (red suit), Maria Pignati, this year’s Italian Heritage Parade Queen Gina Marie Guglielmoni, and California Law Enforcement Columbia Association President Leo Pierini (far right).
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COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATES IN IPA EVENT
United States Representatives at the International Police Association events in Barcelona, Spain, June 2019
(Click on EVENT PHOTOS tab for more photographs)
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CHRISTMAS DINNER 2018
The 2018 Christmas Dinner was celebrated by members of the California Law Enforcement Columbia Association and the International Police Association, Region 9, with special presentations to retired officers Julio Bandoni, Angelo Spagnoli and Gianrico Pierucci and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to retired SFPD Captain Al (Croce) Casciato. For more photos, click on the Events Photos tab above. For videos of the night’s events, go to
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14DG4KCwb9zGgBF2DHCuJesj1CS5OP2QT
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ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE 2018
The Executive Board of Directors of the California Columbia Association would like to thank all those who volunteered and participated in the Italian Heritage Day Parade. Hope you enjoyed the Public Safety officers buffet and a special thanks to the SF Italian Athletic Club for providing a great meal. We look forward to seeing you next year. For more photos from the Italian Heritage Parade, click on the EVENT PHOTOS tab.
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FESTA COLONIALE ITALIANA 2018
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California Columbia Association
Christmas Dinner 2017
2017’s Christmas Dinner featured a special presentation honoring retired SFPD Commander Mike Puccinelli (left). See Event Photos for more pictures from the 2017 event.
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2016 Columbia Christmas Dinner
Consul General of Italy Lorenzo Ortona (center) addresses the group at the 2016 Columbia Association Christmas Dinner. CLECA Executive VP Steve Landi and Chaplain Joseph Landi (L) and President Leo Pierini (R).
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The NYPD Columbia Association Standard Honored in San Francisco 2001
Columbus Day Parade 2001 in San Francisco. SFPD Officers carrying the NYPD Standard in honor of New York Officers after Columbus Day events in New York were suspended following the tragic attacks of that year. For more details and photos on the story and history behind the above photograph, click on the HISTORY tab for the entire history of the California Columbia Association.
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California Law Enforcement Columbia Association 