The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of February 11, 2008
The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of February 11, 2008. 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.
Janice Felthous
National Mutual Benefit
Branch #717
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Janice Felthous is an active board member of National Mutual Benefit Branch #717, helping plan and participate in all events for the community. The branch is continually improving and cleaning the Clark Farm Nature Center owned by the Oconomowoc School District. Janice chaired the committee for the education seminar on Identity Theft held in Oconomowoc. The branch invited a representative from the Wisconsin Office on Privacy Protection to educate members and non-members about the steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
Branch #717 has sponsored social events for members, including miniature golf for families and a play for adults to attend. They also put together three bingo sessions for the senior citizens at Wilkinson Manor.
Janice also participates in the music ministry for her prayer group throughout the year, as well as their Christmas banquet.
Janice teaches Family and Consumer Science Education classes at Racine Horlick High School, an inner city school with a population of 2,200. She is the advisor for the local chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a national student group aimed to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. She chaperoned three students to the 2007 National FCCLA convention in California, where they competed in their service project for homeless families in Racine. Last year almost 2,000 people were placed in a program called “Families in Transition.” This year, the FCCLA students are sponsoring “Plant a Seed to Read” for homeless children by being a mentor to first graders. They also are working on a new program developed by Janice called “Leadership Skills Certificate” from the Wisconsin Department of Education.
On a professional level, Janice is the Vice-President of Public Policy for the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is on the committee to recruit volunteers for the 2008 National AAFCS Convention to be held in Milwaukee. She also has been the Chairman of the Sunshine Committee for Horlick High School in Racine.
Janice and her husband, Jim, have been married for 37 years; they have two sons: Andrew and Tony.
Dale and Elaine Gorsegner
Foresters
Mount Baker Branch
Lynden, Washington
Dale and Elaine Gorsegner are the kind of volunteers that every organization likes to have. They are willing and able to do any task that they are assigned to do and they do it with smiles on their faces. Once they finish the job, they ask what else can they do to help.
The Gorsegners belong to the Whatcom County Holstein Club where they are involved in the spring sale. Dale assists in getting the animals ready and sets up the sales ring while Elaine gets all of the paper work together and helps clerk the sale. The day after the sale, they help with cleaning up. Last year, the Gorsegners won the Master Breeders Award for having bred outstanding Holsteins.
Dale has been a Foresters member for three years and President of Mount Baker Branch for two years. Elaine has been a Foresters member for 40 years in July 2008 and has been Treasurer for 24 years.
Mount Baker Branch has selected Boys & Girls Club as their community partner and Dale and Elaine volunteer at all of the Bellingham Boys & Girls Club’s events, including golf tournaments, breakfast and their gala dinner auction. This includes helping out with the set up, execution and clean up of the events, as well as pre- and post-event activities like sending invitations or mailing thank you notes. The Gorsegners also volunteer at the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club fundraisers. They assisted at the golf tournament as witnesses on the hole-in-one hole. They also helped with dinner and clean up. At the Dinner and Auction event, they set up before the event and assisted with the clean up.
The Mount Baker Branch sponsors the Junior Rider program for the Northwest Peruvian Horse Club and Dale and Elaine have volunteered at the three-day Regional Horse Show for two years. Dale assists in the trail arena and at the gate in the main arena while Elaine volunteers, distributing ribbons and prizes during the entire show.
In addition to their own Branch’s efforts, Dale and Elaine also help out Foresters Skagit Valley Branch with their activities at the Skagit Valley Boys & Girls Club, including their golf tournaments, Mile of Quarters fundraiser and the Big Lake Bash. The Gorsegners attend the Skagit Valley Branch’s business meetings, planning meetings and social events.
Dale and Elaine sold their cows three years ago and sold their farm in 2007, but they still volunteer at the barn twice a day to help with chores. Dale continues to do most of the maintenance and they enjoy helping the new owners get started in farming. They keep the grounds maintained and the garden growing. Each year Elaine grows pumpkins for kids and squash for their parents and has a day when children and adults from the neighborhood are invited to select a free pumpkin and squash.
Vickie L. Krump
Catholic Order of Foresters
St. Joseph Court #1470
Hankinson, North Dakota
Vickie Krump penned her signature to a Catholic Order of Foresters’ (COF) insurance policy after marrying COF Agent Marlin Krump. Thirteen years later, COF remains an integral part of Krump family life. “We strongly believe in COF’s fraternal side and have been blessed with making so many good friends through our activities.”
Vickie, along with her husband and a small nucleus of St. Joseph #1470 members, helped revive the dormant court. Activities now include picnics, helping with community auctions and church fundraisers, and holding Matching Funds Saturday-night bingos that support St. Philip Catholic Church projects. Projects have included building repairs, youth activities and cemetery upkeep.
As North Dakota State Court's first female vice chief ranger, Vickie, along with her family, attends local court functions throughout the state. In addition to Forester activities, she also volunteers at St. Philip Church, planning fall dinners, assisting with funeral luncheons and teaching CCD classes.
Vickie and her husband, Marlin, have two young sons who often accompany their parents to local and state court activities.
Georgia Haas
Catholic Life Insurance
Hallettsville Branch #22
Hallettsville, Texas
Georgia Haas has been a Catholic Life member for many years. Until her husband, Jerome Haas, became ill with cancer, Georgia served primarily in a support role. As her husband’s illness progressed, Georgia took over more and more of his duties as Secretary-Treasurer and agreed to assume the role full-time after he died.
The Hallettsville Branch, which is one of Catholic Life’s largest, never missed a beat. They continue to play an active part in the community. As part of their JOIN HANDS DAY projects, they have assembled care packages for local soldiers stationed far from home. Most recently, they worked side-by-side with local youth to construct a sand volleyball court.
Pitching in and getting the job done is a common trait of Georgia’s. At Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville, she is a Eucharistic Minister as well as an active choir member. She also serves as Raffle Chairman for both parish picnics held each year.
Additionally, Georgia is a charter member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Associates. A former District Deputy for the Catholic Daughters of America, she helped organized a junior Catholic Daughters court in her parish. She is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department and was president of the Guadalupe District Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary. For the last 30 years, she served as a reserve office with the Lavaca County Sheriffs department and continues to serve today as the reporter for the Czech Heritage Society.
Georgia accomplished all these feats while employed full-time as the secretary for Sacred Heart Catholic School and while raising four children. Today she is retired, but spends her time at a local daycare center where she holds and rocks the infants.
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.
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