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 7, 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.

Donna Cooper
Royal Neighbors of America
Sunshine Camp #2203
Humbolt, Iowa
A 63-year member of Royal Neighbors, Donna has been active in all aspects of local activity in her camp. She was a leader for her camp’s JOIN HANDS DAY, Make A Difference Day and matching-funds efforts. Donna also served on two committees at the 2002 National Convention in San Diego and was a delegate to the 1994 National Convention in Kansas City.

Donna served as District Convention Oracle for the fourth time in 2005, and has been the Iowa State Oracle for the last four years. She has been local Oracle for 10 years, and in the past, has held offices of Chaplin, Marshall, Vice-Oracle, Inner Sentinel, Outer Sentinel, Flag Bearer and all five graces. She has made her presence known by following through on her campaign promise of “More Fun, More Chocolate!” by personally passing out chocolate candy at all meetings and parties attended.

Donna also is active in her community. She is the current secretary of the Dakota City Worth While Club. She has served in the past as Vice-President and four years as President. She also has chaired the Fourth of July float entry for the past 10 years. She is currently serving her third term as Secretary for VFW Auxiliary Post #5240. Donna also has served on the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board and currently is a volunteer snack-bar worker and a Life Member.

Donna has devoted more than 1,000 hours to services and project during the past 12 months, and has incurred more than $2,500 in financial expenditures as a result. This dedication to serve her community continued, despite the death of her mother and her husband of 35 years, plus two recent surgeries.

Agnes Dreibrodt
Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas
San Marcos Lodge #26
San Marcos, Texas
Agnes Dreibrodt’s life revolves around family traditions and Hermann Sons. Of course, as a member of a 100% Hermann Sons family, for her they are one and the same. Agnes has been a Hermann Sons member since 1959. Her parents were Hermann Sons members, as are all of her siblings, her two children and her three grandchildren.

Agnes currently is serving as president of San Marcos Hermann Sons Lodge #26 and has for three years, and she previously has held several other offices in the lodge. As a member of the Order’s Fraternal Activities Committee, she represented the Grand Lodge at a spring dance recital. As a leader of her local lodge, she is active in JOIN HANDS DAY and Make A Difference Day projects and helped the lodge host the Hermann Sons State Bowling Tournament this summer. She has participated in the Bowl for the Cure, a joint fraternal event that raises money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. And, she has been a delegate to the last four quadrennial conventions at which Grand Lodge officers are elected.

Agnes’ community involvement does not stop with Hermann Sons. She is active in her church where she serves as chairman of a women’s Bible study group and on the local board for the Women’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. She is treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary of the York Creek Volunteer Fire Department and chairs the dessert area for the department’s annual fundraiser. She and her husband also donate items for the raffle and auction held in conjunction with the fundraiser. She collects and donates labels and box tops for the Box Tops for Education program conducted through the local schools. In addition, Agnes is a volunteer at the Texas Agricultural, Education and Heritage Center where the public and school children learn about the importance of agriculture in society—a subject close to her heart since she and her husband farm.

Henrietta Meurer
Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas, KJZT
West Society #11 – St. Ludmilla
West, Texas
Henrietta is a member of West Society #11 in West, Texas, where she has served as an officer and a membership representative for many years.

Henrietta serves as the director of the West Public Library, where she strives to encourage all members of the community to promote reading programs for the children during the summer.

Henrietta attends society member’s funerals, supports the parish food bank and supports the youth of West by volunteering with Girl Scouts, the livestock show, West rodeo, and many parish activities

Joseph R. Faria, Jr.
Supreme Council of UPPEC
Uniao Portuguesa Protectora do Estado da California (UPPEC)
Council #131
Union City, California
Joseph has been a member of Council #131, UPPEC, in Union City, California, for more than 32 years. He has practiced law for over 32 years in the Bay Area of California. He also is an arbitrator for the Superior Court of California for Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.

Joseph is a member of the Board of Directors for the California Center for Law and the Deaf. He is the Legal Advisor and serves on various committees of the Supreme Council, UPPEC; also the I.D.E.S. in Hayward, California.

Joseph has been actively involved in church activities for more than 30 years for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, California. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Music and is a church musician and sacristan for the parish of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mission San Jose, California. Joseph also teaches the Leadership of the Word to children of the Chinese Community at Mission San Jose, California. He was selected as the UPPEC Fraternalist of the Year in January 1991 for all his volunteering and assisting the poor, needy, religious and fraternals.