Fraternal Advantage - June 2008

WESTERN CATHOLIC UNION

“Whatever, Whenever, Wherever”

“This is an example of America at its best.”

U.S. Senator Barack Obama said this to hundreds of volunteers in Quincy, Illinois, who were gathered to fight the flood of 2008.

Just a few feet away as Obama made that statement, Steve Looten was one of many Western Catholic Union members joining the sandbagging effort. Every hour, hundreds of volunteers responded to the call for help. As many as three million sandbags might be needed, and it takes an entire community to get the job done.

They all came to help, the old and young, rich and poor. “When people come together from all walks of life, every age, every background, pitching in together to deal with challenges, there is no problem we can’t solve when we work together,” Obama said.

It is the call fraternal benefit societies answer every day.

“It is our mission,” Western Catholic Union (WCU) national president Mark Wiewel said. “Jesus said to love your neighbor. Help other people. It’s not a matter of thinking about it, but doing.”

“One of my favorite bible verses is James 2:14. It states that it is not enough to have faith without deeds.”

WCU members scattered up and down the threatening river. Some worked along the levees to help build them up. Some served food to volunteers. Some delivered food to neighboring towns. Many other members joined the city-wide sandbagging operation. Whatever, whenever, wherever.

The sandbaggers didn’t know who they were helping, or where their bags were going, but they knew they could be making a difference in protecting a home, business, or farm land from disaster.

WCU member Becky Warning filled sandbags with her husband, 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. “My kids are into God’s word, too," she said. “They know that God asks us to help others. They don’t question it. Through the WCU we are also able to do a lot of little stuff nobody even knows about.”

WCU members often conduct fundraisers to help support many charities in their communities. Their bake sales, chili dinners, golf tournaments, charity walks, raffles, and many other activities help provide necessary aid to churches, schools, food pantries and many other charities.

“You can make a difference in anybody’s life,” said WCU member JoAnn Witte. “Whether the need is big or small doesn’t matter. Our WCU members want to help.” She was joined by her two daughters who are quickly adopting the Western Catholic Union lifestyle.

“They know that if you see something that needs to be done, just jump right in and help. Don’t wait to be asked,” she said.

The battle to fight back the river continued. The next day her daughters grabbed their gloves and headed toward the river. They knew there was a shovel waiting, and a big sand pile that needed to be worked.

“It is why we exist,” Wiewel said. “Our organization has been providing for the less fortunate for over 130 years.”

Obama called this volunteer effort “America at its best.” That is also a way to describe the heartfelt efforts by all fraternal benefit societies nationwide. Charity comes from the heart, and Western Catholic Union members pass generosity from generation to generation.

“My children look at this and say ‘My dad is fifty and he was out helping fill sandbags!’” Wiewel said. “If there is ever another opportunity, I hope they’ll know it’s their turn to do it.”


Previous Page