The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of December 4, 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.

Susan Schumacher
Catholic Life Insurance
Branch #25
Gainesville, Texas
Susan identifies three Branch projects as rewarding volunteer experiences.  She says that helping prepare a meal for the Hurricane Katrina victims housed in the former Gainesville Hospital Building as one of the most rewarding moments of her life.

Schumacher, who serves as Gainesville Branch President, also points to the recent JOIN HANDS DAY project, where Branch members put together care packages for soldiers from St. Mary’s Church, as a project that brings her pride.  Finally, being part of a Relay for Life team in honor of Branch founding officer and former Director Della Turner is the third.

Susan, who was until recently Volunteer Services Director for a local hospital, has lent her talent to the Cooke County United Way, where she served on the Board, as well as the American Heart Association.

She and her husband, Gene, and their two daughters, enjoy volunteering together when possible.

Maureen Palecek
National Mutual Benefit
Branch #85
Phillip, South Dakota
Maureen has been a member of National Mutual Benefit for 14 years and has been on the local board of directors since 1998.  She is currently serving as the secretary/treasurer of NMB Branch #85 and has served in this capacity since January of 2001.  She has donated countless hours in helping with many fund-raisers and other projects to assist people that are in need of financial help because of medical reasons or other personal crisis. 

Maureen was instrumental in organizing many community improvements projects such as picking up litter, erecting flag poles, helping with playground equipment at the local park, and assisting with the landscaping at the nursing home and assisted living center.  In 2003, Maureen received the Fraternalist of the Year Award for National Mutual Benefit presented by the South Dakota Fraternal Congress.

As a member of the Sacred Heart Parish, Maureen has volunteered as a church musician for over 25 years being instrumental in establishing a cantor program in 1992.  Over the years, Maureen has mentored many young people in the cantor program and continues to play for Mass every Saturday night and is a cantor herself.  In the past, she has taught religion class, been a CCD coordinator and a member of the parish advisory council.  As a member of the Sacred Heart Evening Guild since 1981, Maureen has served as the guild president and tribe chairman.

In addition to her church involvement, Maureen sings for numerous funerals, weddings and community events, and is a member of the Philip Drama Group and the Philip Community Christmas Cantata.  She is a three-year team captain for the Quad County Relay for Life raising money for the American Cancer Society.  Maureen also was elected to three terms as President of the Haakon County PTA and was the treasurer of the Philip Little League Baseball Association.

Maureen and her husband of 29 years, Monte, have three children and one grandson.  Monte is equally an active volunteer in her community, donating countless hours to city and church projects. 

Edna Rickman
National Catholic Society of Foresters
St. Agnes Court #733
Sublimity, Oregon
Edna is actively committed to her parish and community.  She joined the St. Agnes Court of NCSF and has been involved in its activities.  As a result of Edna’s work, St. Agnes Court #733 and Stayton’s St. Mary’s Court #1000 adopt a cause to donate to each month, such as bringing food to the local food bank or baby items to Birthright of Salem. 

Edna is very involved in her community.  She is the volunteer manager at the Stayton Community Food Bank, where she spends many hours sorting, handing out and soliciting food for the food bank, in addition to overseeing the staffing of the volunteers.  Edna also is president of the Sublimity Quilters, who make and donate quilts to the needy—such as baby quilts for Birthright and the quilts for beds in new Habitat for Humanity homes. 

“Seeing people who don’t have it as good as you puts your life in perspective real fast,” Edna said.  “Other volunteers feel the same way I do.  The volunteer community in the area is a very special part of the community.”

Elizabeth Zemanek
Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas, (KJZT)
KJZT #6 – St. Elizabeth
Bryan, Texas
Liz has been a life-long member of Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas.  Liz serves as Secretary of KJZT #6, a position she has held for 40 years, organizing annual KJZT garage sales to benefit non-profit community organizations, managing annual church festival booths and organizing bake sales for college scholarships. Through the KJZT Fraternal Program, Liz has spent countless hours organizing fundraisers and has helped raise thousands of dollars for various church and community organizations, including St. Joseph Church and School, Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Habitat for Humanity, The Prenatal Clinic, Coalition for Life, Rape Crisis Center, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Still Creek Girls Ranch, Family Outreach, and Voices for Children, Inc., KJZT Clerical Endowment Fund, Czech Cultural Center Houston, and Czech Heritage Foundation in LaGrange.  Volunteering has been Liz’s way of giving back some of her God-given talents.

Over the years, Liz’s enthusiasm for volunteerism included being adult advisor for the Catholic Youth Organization, coaching Little League, organizing and opening the St. Vincent de Paul Store in downtown Bryan, helping find and refurbish a home for an immigrant Vietnamese family of eight, serving as Eucharistic Minister to nursing homes, serving on Brazos Beautiful committees, working with Coalition for Life, and helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity.

She is a Board member and Operations chair of Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, is chair of a 14-woman prayer group that meets monthly, and serves in various capacities in the church and community when called upon.

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.


To view previous week's MVPs, click here.