OAK BROOK, IL – The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Fabiola B. Small, a member of Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, Lodge #6192, from Port Arthur, Texas, is the 2006 Fraternalist of the Year.  Small was recognized at the “Celebration of Fraternalism” luncheon at the 120th NFCA Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Fabiola Small is a shining example of what it means to be a fraternalist,” said NFCA President and CEO Frederick H. Grubbe. “We are pleased to honor Fabiola for selflessly giving her time and energy to serve her community in so many ways.”

The national award is given annually to recognize the nation’s top volunteer among the almost 10 million members affiliated with the NFCA’s member-societies. The award goes to a fraternal benefit society member who has provided outstanding volunteer service in his/her community and excellent leadership in his/her local chapter throughout the past year. Small received a commemorative trophy and a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

This year, Small has elected to donate her award to a cause very close to her heart, Love People, Inc., a non-profit organization, which she founded. Through this organization, she is able to assist local adults and youths with a variety of projects, including providing free childcare training for targeted Port Arthur residents.

Small has been a tireless member of Woodmen of the World since she became a member 12 years ago. She has organized joint activities with the 4640 youth lodge for JOIN HANDS DAY projects, adopting nursing homes, cooking at the Triangle Soup Kitchen, organizing the Kwanzaa celebration and hosting a picnic for Port Arthur city employees.  She spearheaded the Woodmen efforts in Port Arthur after Hurricane Katrina, including organizing a citywide clean-up, freeing funds to purchase needed goods, such as chainsaws, diapers and formula for use by victims. She is an avid volunteer in her community, involved with Make A Difference Day, the “Community for the Handicapped,” VISA Healthy Neighborhood Program, St. Thomas Food Program Board, Port Arthur Independent School District Head Start Policy Council, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Weed & Seed Strategy Task Force, and acts as a special advocate against domestic violence through the Port Arthur court system. She also has been the recipient of many community service awards.

“Fabiola Small is a true fraternalist who serves her lodge and her community with compassion and boundless energy,” said Woodmen of the World President and CEO James Mounce.  “Her desire to help those in need is truly inspirational.  On behalf of Woodmen of the World, I congratulate Fabiola Small on being named the NFCA 2006 Fraternalist of the Year.”

In her spare time, Fabiola delivers meals to the elderly and sick; sends letters of hope to local crime victims, such as battered spouses; facilitates a healing of racism program; and sponsors a community awareness program for Black History Month at the Port Arthur Public Library. 

“Fabiola inspires all the youths she comes in contact with to follow her example and become involved in community and charitable projects,” said Diana Lewis, Woodmen of the World Lodge #6192 Secretary.  “She demonstrates to them the need for people to participate as much as possible and shows them how doing this can help them accomplish whatever they strive to do—to make themselves better people, better Christians and better world citizens.”

About Woodmen of the World/Omaha
Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, founded in 1890, is a fraternal benefit society that offers insurance protection with member benefits. Woodmen members, who belong to more than 2,000 lodges throughout the United States, conduct volunteer, charitable and patriotic projects that benefit individuals, families and communities.  For more information, visit www.woodmen.org.

About the NFCA
The 120-year-old NFCA unites 75 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The association represents 10 million people in 36,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member networks. Fraternal benefit societies provide their members with leadership, social, educational, spiritual, patriotic, scholarship, financial and volunteer-service opportunities.  Combined, the NFCA’s member-societies maintain more than $324 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2005 alone, contributed almost $400 million to charitable and fraternal programs.  In addition, fraternalists volunteered 93 million hours toward community-service projects during that same period.