NFCA Honors "Fraternalists-in-Action" for Volunteerism

11/08/06

Five Fraternal MVPs to Visit Capitol Hill.

OAK BROOK, IL – The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the month of October 2006. Fraternal MVPs are "Fraternalists-in-Action" who volunteer their time and energy to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.

Fraternal MVPs of the Month—October 2006

Christine M. Czerwinski
Catholic Order of Foresters
St. Procopius Court #443
Cicero, Illinois

Peggy Francis
The Catholic Aid Association
Ss. Michael & Joseph Council #69
Mahnomen, Minnesota

Dorothy M. Buckner
Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas
Lodge #64-2
Lockhart, Texas

Cynthia Larock
ACA Assurance
Chapter #52, Dr. Paul Fortier Chapter
Lewiston, Maine

Margaret Nicholas
Hungarian Reformed Federation of America
Branch #227
Warren, Ohio

These five Fraternal MVPs were selected randomly from the 20 weekly MVPs for the month of October and will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with and be recognized by their members of Congress. These MVPs will share their fraternal experiences with their elected officials and, in their own words, convey what it means to them to be able to participate in these fraternal activities and make a difference in their communities. These MVPs will visit Capitol Hill in December when Congress is back in session, following the November elections.

"The NFCA salutes these individuals as true fraternalists, while demonstrating how fraternalism is a force for good in American society," said NFCA Chair of the Board Janice U. Whipple. "The 'Fraternalists-in-Action' program personalizes modern fraternalism for members of Congress by putting a name and a face to fraternalism. Plus, it creates public awareness of fraternal benefit societies and individual fraternalists."

Fraternal MVPs are part of the NFCA's "Fraternalists-in-Action" program, which recognizes individuals whose unique stories best represent 21st Century fraternalism. These fraternalists demonstrate exceptional compassion and fraternal pride through their volunteer activities.

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 fraternalists in 36,000 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 $324 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2005 alone, contributed almost $400 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered 93 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.