The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of August 28, 2006. Fraternal MVPs are "Fraternalists-in-Action" who volunteer their time, energy and compassion to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.

Bernie Stasch
Knights of Columbus
Nativity Council #6570
Fargo, North Dakota
Bernie has served the Knights of Columbus at both the local and state council level. He is currently serving as New Council Development Director. This past year, he was Grand Knight for Council #6570 at Nativity, and North Dakota State Membership Director. For his outstanding leadership, he won four of the Supreme Council Service Awards for outstanding programming, and also won the North Dakota State Council Bishop Sullivan Life Award.

The Nativity Council’s Christmas Tree Lot is one of its largest fundraisers of the year. The funds have made it possible for the council to do many projects and help thousands of people in the parish and community. At Christmastime, Bernie also delivered beds to the needy in his community and helped make and deliver fleece blankets for the children in the pediatric unit of MeritCare Hospital. With Bernie’s help, the council also held a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Church in India, to help with the education of the children in the parish.

Renee Eustice
The Catholic Aid Association
St. John's Council #349
Ortonville, Minnesota
Renee has been fraternal secretary for St. John’s Council #349, since its beginning in February 2002. Renee is responsible for planning and conducting the annual Easter Egg Hunts at St. John’s, working with the Youth Group to prepare the eggs and bags for the hunt. Renee also has been active with her council’s Youth Parish Program. She keeps an account of the Youth Group service hours and the CAA members’ volunteer services throughout the year, which include nursing home visits, volunteering with the National Wildlife Refuge System and making baptismal gowns.

In addition to her church and council activities, Renee has been active in her community by contributing her help to the military. She was honored with the Molly Pitcher Award, presented by the United States Field Artillery Association. She was selected for having distinguished herself through faithful and devoted service to the Field Artillery Community, offering courage, patience and help in the best traditions of the military service.

Arlo Netolicky
CSA Fraternal Life
Lodge Prokop Velky #137
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Arlo is a lifelong member of CSA Fraternal Life. He is a member of Lodge Prokop Velky #137, where he is the Vice President. Arlo attends every District Council meeting and also is an auditor for District Council #14.

Arlo also is active in his community. He serves as president of the Czech Heritage Foundation of Cedar Rapids and is a member of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. Arlo has given donations to the Veterans of Foreign War and has donated food to the homeless services in his area. He is an active member of his church and volunteers his time to help coordinate a monthly dinner for seniors, in addition to cleaning up the church after meals and coffee, when needed.

Yolande N. Lessard
ACA Assurance
ACA Domremy #23
Dracut, Massachusetts
Yolande has played a vital role at her chapter. She is a member of the Legion of Honor, setting a great example for others in her chapter. She has shown her dedication and leadership in such positions as Director of the organizing group for the Festival of Kings and Director for the committee involved with organizing cultural expositions on the French Canadians and Franco-Americans. She also writes for the Echo, her chapter’s newsletter.

Beyond her local chapter involvement, Yolande is active in many community organizations, including serving as Secretary of the Jeanne Mance Circle; Secretary of the Club Richelieu of Lowell, MA; mentor and advisor at D’Youville Women’s Guild; member of the Association of the Roy Families in Quebec, Canada; member of the Historical Society of Dracut; member of the Associé des Sœurs Grises d’Ottawa in Lowell, MA; and writer of the Richelieu bulletin of Lowell, MA.

Yolande is integral in bringing together people of all ages at the D’Youville Manor assisted-living residence, by organizing different events, and visits and helps her elderly friends at the residence. She visits the St. Louis School in Lowell, MA, to help students with their art activities. She also participates in and helps with the 4-H expositions and competitions in Westford, MA.

William F. Craig, Sr.
Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn, USA
Lodge #264
Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
During his time working for J.P. Morgan Chase, William was active in the Chase Volunteer Program and worked with the United Way of NYC and the Greater NY Blood Program, as a volunteer as well. Upon his retirement four years ago, William increased his volunteer activities and participation in his local lodge.

Since 2000, William has been volunteered as a Tax Counselor for the elderly with AARP Tax Aide—a program that provides federal, state and property tax preparation assistance for the elderly and middle-income individuals and families. Since 2002, he has been the Vice Chairman of the Senior Citizen’s Advisory Board of Jefferson Township, NJ, acting as a liaison between seniors and the township Mayor and Council, and recently overseeing the completion of the first affordable senior-housing complex in the township. He also has served on the United Way of Morris County NJ Agency Membership Review Committee, for the past four years, assisting in the annual inspection and program review of partner agencies to ensure proper and efficient use of fund allocation and distribution.

William has served as the Mayor’s Representative for the Jefferson Township Library Board of Trustees, assisting in budget preparation, program development and library renovation or improvement projects since 2004. He also has been the Chair of the Annual Knights of Columbus Retarded Citizen’s and Persons with Mental Disabilities Fundraising Drive, helping to organize and conduct the annual drive, as well as acting as the Local Financial Secretary. William also volunteers at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Food Pantry, assisting in the collecting, inventory and storing of food for distribution to people in need in the community. In addition, he has been a Convention Delegate for the Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn in 2002 and 2006.