Emily L. Ottavi

Polish Falcons of America

Nest #307

Southington, Connecticut

Emily is Second Vice President of Nest #307. She also has served on Nest #307’s House Committee and as Hall Rental Agent. Emily has been very active in Nest #307’s children’s activities, helping to organize and work at the Children’s Christmas Party. She also helped to coordinate and make 53 Easter baskets for members’ children. In addition, Emily helped with many of her nest’s fundraisers, including the Kielbasa Open, Spring Fling and Super Bowl, which raised money for the nest’s scholarship funds and/or local charities. Along with these activities, Emily has volunteered at the Nest #307 family picnic and the 2004 National Convention Party, which was held at Nest #307. She also visits sick and distressed members.

Emily is the Editor of her nest’s monthly newsletter and participates in their Setback League. She also is the person that manages the Nest #307 Club bartenders, which includes conducting meetings, scheduling the bartenders and training new staff members. Emily also runs local bar games in which a percentage of the money is raised by the club for donations. In addition, Emily pitches in and bartends whenever there is a need.

Outside of Polish Falcons, Emily is involved in a high-school Grid Iron Club in which she organizes and runs various fundraisers such as team dinners and golf tournaments. She also coordinated fundraisers for the Senior Olympics, the American Cancer Society and Daffodil Days. Other fundraisers that Emily has been involved in are the Relief Fundraiser for Indonesia, the Greater Hartford Cannon Open and the local police department pasta dinner. She also participated in the Relay for Life and assisted with the Make-A-Wish Fundraiser.

Emily has helped U.S. soldiers abroad by donating to the local American Legion and helping wrap packages being sent to Polish soldiers in Iraq. Emily also has made donations to her local library and the Salvation Army. In addition, she rounded up coats and clothing parcels to donate at Christmas to a local shelter.

Rita Hiller Merkel

National Catholic Society of Foresters

Holy Rosary Court #1036

Bozeman, Montana

Dubbed “Saint Rita” by her fellow court members, Rita has been a member of Holy Rosary Court #1036 since 1975. Rita has served as President and Vice President of her court, and was voted 1996 Forester of the Year – Court #1036 for her outstanding leadership. Membership in Foresters runs in Rita’s family, since her late mother was a member and all four of Rita’s children have been members since their childhood.

In her parish, Rita is the liaison for Court #1036. She also serves on the Advisory Council Committee, as Chair for the Holy Rosary High School Alumni, as Children/Teen Assistant for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and as the Chair for her Court’s funeral luncheons.

Rita is co-owner of Round House Ski and Sports Center, and Chalet Sports. She promotes community involvement through the “Bozeman Buy Local” project and served on its conception committee. Rita serves as an Advisor and President for the local Dance Alliance, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting dance in the area. She also is involved with benefits for many charitable organizations, such as the MS Society, a local woman’s group for victims of domestic violence, the Cody Dieruf Benefit Foundation (for Cystic Fibrosis), the Alzheimer’s Association, her local food bank and Habitat for Humanity.

“Rita is a jewel faceted by volunteerism, a sparkling example of the Catholic woman of the century … a tried and true fraternalist,” said Donna Daems, a 50-year member of Holy Rosary Court #1036.

Stephanie Andresen

Gleaner Life Insurance Society

Gleoma Arbor #731

Omaha, Nebraska

Stephanie became active in the fraternal system as a child. By age 10, she was working Gleoma Arbor's Food booth at Florence Pioneer Days. By her early 20s, she served the Arbor as President. Her fraternal spirit has only grown over the years. At 40, Stephanie balances a full-time job, husband and two active daughters. With the support of her family, it's not uncommon for her to put in an additional 30 to 40 hours each week volunteering.

Stephanie has served on Gleaner Life Insurance Society’s Fraternal Committee. She also has served as Gleoma Arbor #731 President, Vice President, Chaplain and Reporter. Currently, Stephanie is the Gleoma Arbor Newsletter Editor. She also oversees all Gleoma Arbor Committees including: Trick or Treat for School Clothes, Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Fraternal Picnic, Uta Halle Service Projects, July 4th Parade Float and the Samaritan Reception. In addition, she was the arbor’s JOIN HANDS DAY Project Chair from 2003 to 2006.

For her hard work and volunteerism, she received the Gleaner Life Insurance Society 600+ hour Service Pin, was nominated as Gleaner Life Insurance Society 2005 Fraternalist of the Year and was selected as the 2006 Nebraska Fraternalist of the Year by the Nebraska Fraternal Congress.

Stephanie is involved in her community and is an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Stephanie is the Great Plains Girl Scout Council Leader for Cadette Troop 1082 and Junior Troop 2911. She also is a member of the Roncalli Catholic High School Booster Club and a Roncalli Catholic High Tea Table Hostess. She serves on the St. James Seton Endowment Dinner Committee, and the St. James Seton Athletic Association Spring Fling Committee. In addition, she is a Neighborhood Watch Captain, Girl Scout Cookie Mom, Red Cross regular Apheresis Donor, and Team Mom.

Stephanie has the ability to bring out the best in everyone she meets. She uses her personal network to share the fraternal message and gets the right people involved to make things happen. She uses creative ways to make the work fun. She shows compassion and concern for those around her and is the first one there when help is needed. She eagerly shares her talents. She is diplomatic and dedicated to setting a good example for her children, as well as educating youth on how to be good citizens and make a positive impact on their community with creativity and vision.

Donald Eafanti
Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA)

Denver Post

Wheat Ridge, Colorado

It’s his volunteer work that keeps Don busy. As a member of the TPA’s Denver Post, he worked with other members to establish an annual "Kite Day" outing for students at Laradon Hall, a school for special-needs people. His post provides kites for the children and plenty of food and drinks for the participants. A Christmas party for handicapped children is another project Don works on every year.

Don promotes TPA’s child-safety programs in his community and also developed a program as TPA’s membership chair to promote growth in the association. Don served on the TPA’s National Board of Directors from 2000-2002. For 10 years, he served as a city councilman in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Among his accomplishments as councilman, he helped to open a new recreation center, construct the Veterans Gazebo and rework an avenue in Wheat Ridge.

Don also volunteers at Hospice of St. John in Lakewood, Colorado. He started by offering his services as a barber to the male residents. His involvement at Hospice of St. John expanded to being “bartender” for the hospitality cart that offers refreshments and snacks to residents and their guests. He also brings cheer to the residents by bringing something, such as clown noses, hats or stuffed animals that dance and sing. But he doesn’t stop there. Don has brought doves to the residents for them to hold and then release, arranged a kite event, donated items for the Santa Shop and arranged for Santa Claus to visit.

Don was named the Jefferson County Realtor’s Association Man of the Year, the Arvada Grange’s Father of the Year and Columbus Day’s Italian of the Year. He and his wife also have served as Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival Co-Chairs.

The NFCA salutes these outstanding Fraternalists-in-Action for their dedication, kindness and generosity. They embody the heart of fraternalism through their volunteer efforts and commitment to their communities.


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