OAK BROOK, IL – The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized 37 member-societies and eight state fraternal congresses as “shining stars” that demonstrated strong support for JOIN HANDS DAY.  The “2006 NFCA Shining Stars for JOIN HANDS DAY” awards were presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 120th NFCA Annual Meeting, September 7-9, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

JOIN HANDS DAY, which promotes fraternalism and fraternal benefit societies, is the only day of service on America’s national calendar that seeks to build youth and adult relationships through planning and participating in a day of volunteering.  This signature event provides fraternal benefit societies with an opportunity to connect with other volunteer organizations to make an important impact on their communities.

“The NFCA is proud of JOIN HANDS DAY’s success,” said NFCA President & CEO Frederick H. Grubbe, who presented the awards.  “Now in its eighth year, JOIN HANDS DAY provides fraternal benefit societies with a tremendous opportunity to re-energize its chapters, connect with outside organizations, involve young people from around the country and help present fraternals as dynamic, exciting and visible organizations.  It’s no wonder that JOIN HANDS DAY has earned us praise from America’s volunteer community.”

This year’s JOIN HANDS DAY was Saturday, May 6, 2006.  The 2006 NFCA Shining Stars for JOIN HANDS DAY awards offer four levels of recognition:  Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.  To achieve platinum status, a member-society or state fraternal congress must have accomplished each of the following four requirements:

1. Promoted JOIN HANDS DAY to chapters, either in society or state fraternal congress publications, through links on their Web site and/or by mailing the JOIN HANDS DAY materials to their members.

2. Reported at least one JOIN HANDS DAY activity on May 6, 2006, sponsored by the society or state congress, including chapters, home office or grassroots members.

3. Invited the media and/or local politicians, Members of Congress, other dignitaries, VIPs, etc., to a JOIN HANDS DAY event; and

4. Have a society representative serving on the Join Hands Corporation Board of Directors, and/or have organized a Model City project.

To obtain Platinum status, fraternal benefit societies are required to meet all four of the criteria. To obtain Gold status, they must meet three of the four criteria. To achieve Silver status, they must meet two of the four criteria and for Bronze status, societies must meet one of the four criteria. All winners were selected based on completion of a special member-society or state fraternal congress survey returned to NFCA prior to the 120th NFCA Annual Meeting.

These member-societies and state fraternal congresses received the following awards:

Platinum Awards — 10 Societies and One State Fraternal Congress

• Catholic Family Life Insurance,
• Catholic Knights,
• Catholic Life Insurance,
• Employes’ Mutual Benefit Association,
• Gleaner Life Insurance Society,
• Modern Woodmen of America,
• Royal Neighbors of America,
• Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ),
• Thrivent Financial for Lutherans,
• Wisconsin Fraternal Congress, and
• Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society.

Gold Awards — Seven Societies and Two State Fraternal Congresses

• Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas, KJZT,
• First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association of the USA,
• Florida Fraternal Congress,
• Loyal Christian Benefit Association,
• National Mutual Benefit,
• National Slovak Society of the USA,
• Nebraska Fraternal Congress,
• Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas, and
• Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum.

Silver Status — 19 Societies and Three State Fraternal Congresses

• American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ),
• The Catholic Aid Association,
• Catholic Order of Foresters,
• Foresters,
• Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh,
• Greek Catholic Union of the USA,
• Hungarian Reformed Federation of America,
• Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union,
• Luso-American Life Insurance Society,
• Minnesota Fraternal Congress,
• Missouri Fraternal Congress,
• National Catholic Society of Foresters,
• The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America,
• Oregon Fraternal Congress,
• Polish Falcons of America,
• Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn, USA,
• SPJST,
• Western Catholic Union,
• Western Fraternal Life Association,
• Woman's Life Insurance Society,
• Woodmen of the World And/or Assured Life Association, and
• Workmen’s Benefit Fund of the USA.

Bronze Status — One Society and Two State Fraternal Congresses

• California Fraternal Congress,
• Catholic Fraternal Life, and
• Washington Fraternal Congress.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in JOIN HANDS DAY 2006, and we’ll see you out in full force next year, on May 5, 2007.  Until then, join us in celebrating fraternalism by JOINING HANDS 365 days a year,” said Grubbe.

Sponsored by America’s fraternal benefit societies, JOIN HANDS DAY is the fraternal national day of service when youths and adults work together to plan and implement projects that benefit their local communities.  To learn more about JOIN HANDS DAY, visit the Web site at www.joinhandsday.org or e-mail actioncenter@joinhandsday.org.