The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs-Week of February 19, 2007
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 19, 2007. 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.
Elizabeth Kallus
Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas
St. Frances of Rome, Society #31
LaGrange, Texas
Elizabeth serves as Vice President to St. Frances of Rome, Society #31. She has been a member of Catholic Family Fraternal for 48 years, and for the past year has gone above and beyond to volunteer her time and energy to the local parish as well as the community.
Elizabeth serves with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) #1962 to plan and implement many of their fundraisers, receptions and dinners. She took the initiative and helped the CDA send Bibles from her parish directly to displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Elizabeth also is a Pro-Life Activities Coordinator for the Sacred Heart Parish. Some of the tasks that have been achieved are a monthly Pro-Life Mass scheduled in the parish, handling all the publicity for Pro-Life activities and projects for the church bulletin and pulpit announcements, coordinating the Spiritual Adoption and the Diocesan Baby Banks project.
Aside from the enthusiasm that is brought out through Elizabeth’s volunteer efforts, she also made quite an impression on others. Marilyn Kothmann, President of Society #31, said, “She’s not afraid to step forward and take the lead; and she also is a team worker trying to motivate and get others involved. She genuinely enjoys sharing her time, talents and treasures with others through volunteering. Everything she does, she truly hopes it will help others in some way.”
Terry Wilson
Equitable Reserve Association
Janesville Assembly #171
Janesville, Wisconsin
Terry has been very active in Equitable Reserve Association. He has:
· Served as a Member of the Board of Trustees (2002-2006).
· Served as a Member of the State of the Order Committee (1994-2002).
· Served as a Member of the Committee on Laws (2006-present).
· Served as a Member of Janesville Assembly #171 (56 years).
· Served as President of Janesville Assembly #171 (27 years).
· Served as Vice President of Southern WI and Northern IL District (6 years).
· Served as President of Southern WI and Northern IL District (15 years).
· Served as a Volunteer for the Clean Highway Program for two different organizations (8 years).
· Served as a participant in the JOIN HANDS DAY program.
In his community, Terry is a member of:
· Chamber of Commerce (40 years).
· Forward Janesville (16 years).
· Rock County Builders Association (23 years).
· Wisconsin Glass Association (26 years – served as Vice President, President and as a Board of Directors member).
· Association for Retarded Citizens (37 years – served on Fundraising Committee).
· Veterans of Foreign Wars (21 years).
· Janesville Moose Lodge (17 years).
· National Radiator Association (27 years).
· Foster Parent Association (37 years).
Terry’s additional community volunteering includes:
· Assistant Cub Scout Leader (5 years).
· 4-H Leader (6 years).
· Participate in Rock County Jail Chaplaincy Program (14 years).
· Assisted patients playing bingo at Rock Haven Nursing Home (18 years).
· Assisted in Habitat for Humanity Program.
· Volunteered for the “Chili Cook-Off” Fundraiser for Special Olympics and “Fishing Has No Boundaries” (4 years).
· Participated in “Bowling For Miracles” (5 years).
· Participated in “Adopt a Family” Program (10 years).
· Served on Scholarship Committee for local schools (8 years).
Terry also is very active in his church. He has served as the head usher for 27 years, supervising, training and scheduling a staff of 115 ushers per year. He has been a member of the Worship Committee for 27 years, a greeter before the Church Service for 14 years and a Communion server for 26 years. Terry also helped plan and set up the “Faith Fest” fundraiser, in addition to donating prizes to the event.
Terry and his wife have been foster parents for numerous handicapped children and have been acclaimed in three different publications as “Outstanding Foster Parents.” Two mentally challenged individuals have lived with Terry and his wife for 37 and 36 years respectively, and these individuals have surpassed the doctors’ and social workers’ expectations in achievement.
Terry has been a Janesville resident his entire life. He has always proven to be an energetic, trustworthy and responsible individual ever since his first employment opportunity, which was delivering newspapers at the age of ten. Terry has been self-employed since 1967; he owns and operates a glass and radiator shop.
Terry and his wife, Nancy, have two sons, two foster children and a granddaughter.
Carol Boyd
National Catholic Society of Foresters
Little Flower Court #1181
Kalona, Iowa
Carol has been a member of Little Flower Court #1181 for 60 years, and she has served as Financial Secretary-Treasurer since 1954. She is a leader in all of her court activities. Carol is instrumental in setting up the council’s sewing projects, such as making rugs, placemats and comforters, which then are donated to the local church and nursing home for their auctions. She also opens her home for the Forester group quiltings that are held each year for their church’s fall benefit. Carol is a talented seamstress and shares her talents with her Court and the sewing organizations she belongs to. These sewing projects are a success; much in part, because of the hours Carol spends to see that they are completed.
Carol is not only a member of numerous organizations, but she is a very active participant in all of them. She is a member of the Kountry Quilters, the Eastern Iowa Heirloom Quilters, a volunteer at Pleasantview Nursing Home, and serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Opti-Mrs./Optimist Club and on the Kalona United Fund Board. Carol also has served as a member of Holy Trinity Church Council, on the Holy Trinity Choir – Cluster Parish Choir, and serves on the Funeral Dinner Committee and is co-chairman of the Senior Citizen’s Committee for the Holy Trinity Fellowship.
Mary Curtin Rand
Polish Falcons of America (PFA)
Nest #430
Auburn, New York
Mary Curtin Rand has been a Falcon member since she was a little girl, joining as a member of the gym class. As a child, Mary participated in the District IX track and field meets, zlots (competitions) and camp. Since the age of 24, Mary has been an Officer in Nest #430 located in Auburn, NY. She served in the positions of Recording Secretary, Director and President, a position she currently holds. In addition to being Nest President, she also is the District President and has been for seven years. Before becoming District President, she was the District Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Vice President. Mary has the distinction of holding the Gold Legion of Honor, which is the highest honor bestowed on a Falcon member.
As an adult member, Mary has participated in District Bowling Tournaments and the National Polish Dance Competitions. Even though she is not a golfer, Mary attends the District and National Golf Tournaments. She also has served on the committee for the National Adult Men’s Softball Tournament. Mary has taught the youth members of the Nest Polish folk dancing.
Mary is the chairperson for the Polish kitchen at the annual Nest picnic, chairs the fish dinners at the Nest, chairperson of the decorating committee for the annual anniversary celebrations at the Nest, chairs the annual Christmas party and annual Christmas bazaar. She helps shop, wrap and works at the youth Christmas party. Mary also is the chairperson for the Nests’ involvement with Make A Difference Day.
Mary is involved with all the fundraising in the Nest, the Thanksgiving raffles, the Easter raffles, chicken barbeques, and book donations to the local library. (Many Nests donate a book during Polish Heritage Month each October.) In addition to all of these events, Mary also has performed manual labor at the Nest building, including painting the office. Mary has attended numerous District and National conventions of the PFA. At the convention held in 2004, Mary was the chairperson of the Grievance Committee.
Mary’s memberships outside of the PFA include Auburn Memorial Hospital Service Organization. As a member, she was involved in their fundraisers, “Lights of Hope” stage show of hospital employees—“Palpitations.” She hosted a cast party for the crew of the show.
Mary is a member of the Swietonowski-Kopechak American Legion Auxiliary Unit, the St. Hyacinth Altar Rosary Society; she is a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the St. Hyacinth Social Ministry. Mary was a committee member of the St. Hyacinth Thanksgiving “Home Alone” project and the chair of their Polish kitchen summer picnic. In addition, she is a volunteer at the Matthew House, a home for the terminally ill. Mary also is a blood donor.
Mary is married and employed at the Auburn Memorial Hospital.
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 weeks' MVPs, click here.
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