EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For close to a century, the St. Nicholas Society has hosted wedding receptions, bridal showers, the Man of the Year Award ceremonies. It's a social club, a place to mingle and share Italian-American heritage, but no events this year means no money coming in.

The St. Nicholas Society has never been this quiet for so long. 

"This past year with COVID, we have been hurt. We haven't been able to hold our usual fundraising events to solicit the kind of donations that we usually do, so we have been reaching out the community to ask for help," said Peter Pullano, president of the St. Nicholas Society.

Pullano is so proud of his Italian heritage, he gets emotional talking about it and what the St. Nicholas Society means to him, his Italian family, and the East Rochester community. 

"Without choking up, it is a great group of people. Every time you show up here, you feel like you just crashed a wedding. You are going to find multiple generations, and they are going to greet you like a long-lost relative," said Pullano.

That loyalty and sense of community is what Pullano and the St. Nicholas Society members are counting on to help raise money for not only some much-needed rehab of the place, but the society needs money to continue.

"If you weren't family when you came in, you were family when you left," Pullano said.

Rosanne Fabi cherishes all the memories she's made here. She was the first female president at the St. Nicholas Society.

"Our world is changing, and if there is way we can keep this going, it can still be a place that brings the community together. We are in dire straights and any donation will be greatly appreciated at this point," said Fabi, a member of the organization.

To help, the St. Nicholas Society is looking for new members. Keep in mind you do not need to be Italian to join.

They are also collecting donations at the St. Nicholas Society GoFundMe site.