09/21/07

OAK BROOK, IL – The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Robert J. Hagen, a member of SPJST, Lodge #246 - Morgan’s Point, from Temple, Texas, is the 2007 Fraternalist of the Year.  Hagen was recognized at the “Celebration of Fraternalism” luncheon at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“Bob Hagen is a shining example of what it means to be a fraternalist,” said NFCA Interim President and CEO Bob Huxel.  “We are impressed by the many marvelous works that Mr. Hagen undertakes, and the incredible joy and happiness he brings to others.  He truly represents the mutual aid and commitment our societies have promised for more than a century.”

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.  Hagen received a commemorative trophy and a $1,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

This year, Hagen has requested that his honorarium be donated to Serenity House of Victor, New York, in memory of his brother, Wayne E. Hagen, who passed away on May 15, 2000.  Serenity House is a two-bed, comfort care home that provides 24-hour specialized care for persons who are in their final three months of life, their families and their loved ones.  An alternative to hospitals, nursing homes and in-home care, Serenity House is free of charge.  The goal is to provide a warm, accepting and supportive environment for residents and their loved ones, addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  This holistic, supportive environment also extends into the bereavement process.  (www.serenity-house.org)

Hagen volunteered to serve as youth leader and reorganize the youth group for his lodge.  He started with one member and through his dedication and determination, built up the youth club to 17 active members in the first year.  He coordinated and assisted with many events through the year to build attendance and membership.  These include dinner socials, swim parties, barbecue fundraisers, clean-up following the home-office awards banquet and participating in the State Bowl for the Cure that benefits the breast cancer research foundation.  He and his youth club took part in SPJST’s Community Easter Eggstravaganza, which supports and promotes the 100 pennies scholarship drive, raising funds to award more than 50 - $1,000 scholarships to high-school seniors and college undergraduates.  Hagen participated in District youth leaders’ workshops and District Youth Achievement Day, volunteers as a summer camp chaperone and assisted with Core Challenge, an event organized by SPJST to promote physical fitness among youth.

“Bob provides inspiration among adult and youth members at Lodge #246 to get involved in activities that make a difference in the community,” said SPJST Lodge #246 - Morgan’s Point Vice President and Sales Agent David Nauert.  “He is constantly coming up with activities for lodge members to participate in.  We are honored to have Bob as a member of SPJST Lodge #246 and sincerely appreciate all of his many volunteerism efforts.”

Hagen coordinated adult and youth volunteers from his lodge and the local community and soldiers from Fort Hood to clean and paint the exterior of the Belton Senior Center and constructed benches as a JOIN HANDS DAY project.  For Make A Difference Day, he coordinated painting the interior of the center.  He actively promotes “Cell Phones for Soldiers,” “Adopt-a-Unit” program, which benefits families of deployed soldiers, and his lodge has adopted Victory Corner in Fort Hood, a memorial to honor all soldiers being deployed and returning.  He quarterly coordinates the “Adopt-a-Highway” program in his community, picking up trash on a two-mile section of highway.  He, along with the youth, participated in Lack’s Trim-A-Tree for Charity project, decorating a Christmas tree and collecting canned food donations and assists with the Toys for Tots drive and Love of Christ Volunteer Day.  Hagen is a United States Army veteran, is married and still finds time to devote to his family members.

“Bob epitomizes the idea of what the ‘Fraternalist of the Year’ honor is meant to convey,” said SPJST Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek.  “He’s the kind of guy who loves a challenge, rallying the troops and making good things happen.  I had the opportunity to work with Bob and his fellow lodge members last year on their JOIN HANDS DAY project when they decided to provide a facelift for a local senior center.  That’s just one example, but it enabled me to see firsthand how much preparation, coordination and attention to detail Bob devotes to the projects that he takes on and then leads to completion.”

2007 Fraternalist of the Year Runners-Up
The NFCA also announced the runners-up for the 2007 Fraternalist of the Year Award.  For more information, click on the links below: 

First Runner-Up
Lorraine D’Emilio, Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum

Second Runner-Up
Kimberly H. Williams, Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society

Third Runner-Up
Janet K. Kuper, Modern Woodmen of America

Fourth Runner-Up
Dora Marie Rohl, Catholic Knights

About the SPJST
The SPJST is a fraternal benefit society headquartered in Temple, Texas.  For 109 years, the SPJST has worked to ensure the financial security of its members and its financial commitment to the communities where SPJST members live, work and play.  SPJST lodges sponsor a wide range of family-oriented activities and community service projects.  These include musical and dance groups, dances, picnics, games, contests, summer camps and an active Youth Program.  For more information, visit www.spjst.com.

About the NFCA
The 121-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 fraternalists in 37,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member-volunteer 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 $329 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2006 alone, contributed almost $410 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered nearly 95 million hours for community-service projects.  These statistics demonstrate the commitment that fraternals make to those in need and exemplify the true meaning of the NFCA signature phrase:  Joining Hands to Touch Lives.