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 5, 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.

Tina Forst

Catholic Knights

Branch #1010

Subiaco, Arkansas

Tina Forst has been a leader of Catholic Knights Branch #1010 since 1991. Under her leadership as President, the branch has held a fireworks stand and fundraisers for individuals in need and “Heart to Heart,” a pregnancy assistance center. She has coordinated several branch meetings, the annual branch barbecue and Christmas Party. She also is coordinating Branch #1010’s Annual Memorial Mass and potluck dinner. Tina also has served as an Arkansas State Officer and as a state delegate.

In her home parish of St. Benedict's, Tina is a lector, Eucharistic minister and a member of the choir. She was instrumental in forming their Children's Choir, where she serves as assistant director. Tina also leads the music for the children's vacation Bible school. The children in the parish are motivated by her pleasant personality and musical abilities. She is a religion teacher for the parish school of religion and has been recognized numerous times for her continued dedication to the program. She is an active member of the St. Benedict's Mother's Society, which supports the parish by coordinating appreciation events, volunteer recognition, and serving various dinners. She served as the president of the Mother's Club in 2001, and is a former member of the Parish Council.

Tina has been part of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for many years, and has served as chairperson for the relay for the last three years. Under her leadership, their county raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. She was awarded the Team Award for raising the most money. Their county was recognized for raising the fifth largest total in the state, out of the 75 counties participating.

Tina lives in Subiaco, Arkansas, with her husband, Herbert, and their two sons, Alex and Josh. She is employed with Colyesger Manufacturing where she does administrative work in their sales department. Tina is active in her son Alex's school, participating in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and volunteering with the 4-H club.

Josephine M. Kmet

American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ)

St. Joseph's Lodge #146
Cleveland, Ohio

Josephine (Josie) is active in her local lodge and community. She has served as the Financial/Recording Secretary of the KSKJ St. Joseph's Lodge #146 since 2004. She currently serves as the Vice President of the KSKJ Ohio Federation of Lodges. She also participates in the KSKJ Ladies Bowling League as well as various other KSKJ Tournaments. Josie participated in the 2004 Disney Marathon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In addition, she is active with her parish, the Assumption of Mary Parish, where she serves as an Extra-ordinary Minister of the Eucharist, a Collections Captain, and has been a parishioner since 1979.

Josie has worked for the U.S. Postal Service since 1983, holding positions including clerk, letter carrier, delivery supervisor, postmaster, customer service analyst and operations support specialist. She is the editor of the newsletter for the National Association of Postal Supervisors. She also participates in the Postal/Federal Tournament, as well as the local Branch #40 Letter Carriers Tournament.

Josie comes from a family with 100% Slovenian heritage. In fact, her entire family belongs to KSKJ St. Joseph's Lodge #146. Josie also has traveled to Slovenia 13 times, in addition to trips to Jerusalem, Greece, Alaska, China and Rome.

George W. Hizny

Slovak Catholic Sokol

Assembly #86

Port Griffith, Pennsylvania

George is very active on the local and district levels. He continues to serve as the Financial Secretary of his lodge and treasurer of Group #7. He served on the committee for the 65^th annual Sokol Family Day Picnic. He also served two terms as a Supreme Auditor and member of the Board of Directors, and two terms as Supreme Treasurer and member of the Supreme Executive Finance Board.

George served on the committee for the annual Slovak flag-raising ceremonies at the Luzerne County Court House and is active in the local assembly of the Slovak League of America, a civic and cultural association of Americans of Slovak ancestry. He is a lector and is active at St. John the Baptist Slovak Parish in Pittston, PA. He also is active in the Veterans of Foreign War post.

Having been given the example of his own parents who founded his local Sokol lodge in Port Griffith, George, too, sees the need to pass on the torch of fraternalism to succeeding generations. George encourages young people to become active in various outreach programs in their local communities. He also assisted with the JOIN HANDS DAY project of the Slovak Catholic Sokol in Luzerne County and serves as a chaperon at various sporting events hosted by the society. 

Mary B. Anderson

Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society

Lodge #339

Sacramento, California

They say if you want something done, ask a busy person. Mary Anderson is just that person in her Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen lodge. She has been an active member of Lodge #339 in Sacramento, California, for 29 years. She's served in many different elected offices, including twice as President and as a Delegate to Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen's California Jurisdictional Convention numerous times. She currently serves as Musician for Lodge #339 and Secretary of the California Jurisdiction.

In addition to her leadership positions, she organizes many volunteer and social events for the lodge – and those she doesn't, she enthusiastically participates in, and encourages others to do so, as well. Among her many involvements for the lodge include chairing the St. Patrick's Day Social; chairing the lodge fundraising projects for WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) and Chicks-In-Crisis (a support group for homeless pregnant girls); purchasing and wrapping gifts for children for the lodge's annual holiday party; presenting Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen American History Awards; chairing the lodge's Make A Difference Day project; and volunteering for the lodge's JOIN HANDS DAY project by pulling weeds and trimming bushes at the local Ronald McDonald House. For 28 years, Mary has planned the menus, purchased the food and prepared the meals for over 100 campers and staff at the Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen North California Youth Camp.

Mary extends her charitable works outside of Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen. She is involved with Roseville Emblem Club (a philanthropic women's club affiliated with the Elks), where she has served as President three times and is currently Vice President. She leads many activities that benefit local seniors, veterans and children.

It's because of her extraordinary service that Mary was recognized as Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen California Jurisdiction's Fraternalist of the Year in 1996 and the North California Marketing Area's Fraternalist of the Year in 2006.

They also say charity begins at home. Mary is the care provider for her 97-year-old aunt. Mary Anderson is a benevolent, busy, bright person who epitomizes the meaning of “fraternalism in action.”

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.