Italian American Heritage festival names Contraguerro Italian American of the Year

Easterseals board member Bobby Contraguerro Jr. on Wednesday was named the Italian American of the Year by the Undo's Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival committee for his contributions to the Ohio Valley community.

Contraguerro is vice president of Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, a company his father, Bob Sr., founded in 1977. Bobby Contraguerro has served on the Easterseals board of directors for several years and is a regular sponsor of Easterseals events and fundraisers, such as the Inclusion on Ice, Ohio River Splashtacular and National Pizza Party Day. Panhandle once again will be the title sponsor of the Ohio River Splashtacular - Making Waves for Easterseals, which will take place Sunday, June 7, at Wheeling Heritage Port.

In nominating Contraguerro, Italian American Heritage Festival board member Erik Schram mentioned other large contributions Panhandle has made to local nonprofits, including $250,000 to the YMCA and $500,000 to Wheeling University, as well as his support of the festival.

Contraguerro will be recognized at the festival's annual kick-off dinner and will attend the festival's opening ceremonies. This year's Upper Ohio Valley Italian American Heritage Festival will take place July 24-26 at Wheeling's Heritage Port.