Celebrating Italian heritage: Honorary Queen Isabella is longtime civil servant Tami Del Bene

“I’m really excited just being able to represent our Italian heritage and culture and show my children and grandchildren,” Del Bene said. “I think it’s special for them.”

Del Bene currently works as a Waste Zero manager at Recology San Mateo County and serves as a board member for San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League and the Sequoia Awards, which provides scholarships to young people who actively volunteer in the community.

“This isn’t a beauty pageant,” said Terry Anderlini, Peninsula Italian American Social Club parliamentarian. “We’re looking for women who have achieved something, been good the community and are civic leaders.”

Del Bene grew up in San Francisco’s Sunset district and learned to value community service at a young age. Her father was a police officer and a firefighter, as were her uncles. “I really did learn from my mom and dad,” Del Bene said, regarding community service.” It’s just something we do. It’s second nature.”

She started working at Recology San Mateo County after 10 years as a travel agent as a result of her community involvement.

“I joined a beautification task force in San Bruno because I wanted to be involved in something to beautify the city,” Del Bene said.

She was offered a position as a recycling coordinator and was attracted to it because of the potential to help beautify the city on a larger scale. She’s been with the company ever since. Del Bene was surprised to be nominated as this year’s Queen Isabella by San Mateo Mayor Maureen Freschet, who was named queen for the festivities in 2013.

“It was just a thrill when I got the call to ask if I could be nominated,” Del Bene said.

The Peninsula Social Club has been hosting Columbus Day celebrations annually since the 1950s. The festivities have evolved over the years, and this year’s format will have Del Bene addressing those at the club’s Genovese night this Saturday.

“We have a pageant with Isabella and Columbus dressed in period costumes,” Anderlini said. From “7 [p.m.] to 7:30 [p.m.] is the ceremony where she promenades around, and then she gets on a chair and she will receive roses, and then she gets resolutions from elected officials and she herself gets a chance to thank the audience and thank her friends for showing up. Then people sit down for dinner.”

Genovese Night will feature dinner and live music from the Joe Simoni band starting at 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $60 and proceeds will go toward Mission Hospice and the Peninsula Social Club Scholarship Foundation. Del Bene will be driven through the city streets by San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer in San Francisco’s Italian Heritage Parade starting at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.