The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of January 22, 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.

Pamela R. Zollner

Catholic Order of Foresters

St. Joseph Court #1176

Wabasso, Minnesota

Pam Zollner's fraternalism extends beyond the Foresters into community, school and church involvement. In fact, her court's 2005 JOIN HANDS DAY activity, packaging meals for Kids Against Hunger, proved so popular, in 2006 it crossed over from a court to community effort. That same scenario was repeated when Pam, as youth director, and her young charges embarked on a service project—cleaning the church and rectory grounds. The day's success sparked calls “could the youth court add the school grounds, town park and baseball diamond?” Today, Foresters, school and CCD students and parents, Lutheran church youth group, and civic organizations now support a Wabasso-wide cleanup day.

Pam recently stepped down as state court trustee, a position she held for eleven years. Her responsibilities included visiting 14 area courts presenting programs, attending award banquets and anniversary celebrations and promoting membership drives. At a local level, Pam proves a tireless supporter of her court's fundraisers, volunteer and social activities. 

Besides her Foresters involvement, Pam provides baked goods for the local nursing home's bingo parties, Red Cross blood drives, St. Anne School carnival and church funeral lunches, and serves on her parish hospitality committee. She and her husband, Marvin, have two sons, and reside in Wabasso, where they operate an 850-acre farm.

George Richter

Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh

Longwood, Florida

As a successful immigrant to the United States, George was drawn to help recent immigrants integrate themselves culturally to better their life and that of their families. His natural leadership ability inspires his fellow volunteers to take up new challenges to improve the organization to serve more clients in an efficient manner.

This past year, George has served as president of a volunteer board for the Greater Reading or Writing Skills Literacy Council, Inc (GROWS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the Central Florida area, providing Second Language instruction and Family Literacy Programs to multi-cultural communities. Their primary target customers are the migrant workers who come to Central Florida and desire to improve their lives and that of their family by learning English. His efforts within this organization have created a renewed vigor. With his leadership, the very active board has organized a tri-county fundraiser for this summer, established their own Web site, and GROWS is now in the process of creating their building fund to acquire land and build their own facility. In 2006, GROWS was recognized by Governor Bush for promoting Literacy to the community by awarding the organization with the “Best Practices” Award. In addition to his work at GROWS, George is an active member of his church, serving in several ministries. 
 

George has a history of success. Having worked in the international sales and marketing arena for almost 30 years, he has traveled to the many corners of the earth and experienced many things that one can only imagine. These experiences, as well as his MBA in International Business, provide him with the foundation and discipline necessary to be successful. Currently he is the owner of two companies and a fifty-percent partner on a third enterprise providing needed employment in the community. He is a member of the Apopka Chamber of Commerce and actively manages his businesses. All of these businesses demand much of his daily time, but he still is a devoted husband and father. Married for 24 years to his wife, Monica, they have two children, Michael and Cristina, currently attending the University of Central Florida and the Air Force Academy, respectively.

Charles S. Hymers
Knights of Columbus

Council #11170

Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Lieutenant Colonel Charles “Charlie” Hymers is in his 13^th year of service as his council's Church Director. He also is serving this year as his council's Chancellor and Youth Director. Charlie plans and runs his council's Clergy Appreciation Dinner. During this year's event the Knights of Virginia donated $10,000 to the Military Archdiocese for vocations. Under his leadership an additional $1,300 was donated. Charlie also organizes the council's Seminarian Sponsorship Program. He organizes spiritual retreats for the council. These retreats serve as opportunities to recruit new Knights since the council's parish is invited as well. He is Deputy Chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Party sponsored by the Order. Finally, he assists with setting up for Knights' meetings.

Charlie is a member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He is the Chairman of the committee assisting the wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His current efforts are directed toward sponsoring an Activity Day in his community to help relieve the boredom experienced by these soldiers and their families as they await medical discharges. This discharge process can last up to a year. The activities planned are a day at a bowling alley and a lunch at a nice restaurant. Of course, the companionship coupled with any assistance that can be provided for transitioning back to civilian life are additional objectives of this program. Charlie essentially remained in uniform when it comes to taking care of soldiers and their families. The MOAA and Charlie present scholarships to high school ROTC members. This requires him to visit various high schools throughout northern Virginia and share his experiences with these young men. Charlie also arranges the social events for the MOAA. The enthusiasm and background knowledge he directs to this effort ensures that all have a fun-filled evening.

In addition to his personal generosity, Charlie spends a lot of time supporting fundraising events. Last year, Charlie spent well over 25 hours collecting money for KOVAR (Knights of Virginia Assistance for the Retarded). He also raises money for the Army Community Services at Fort Belvoir. This organization supports soldiers and their families with a military food bank, helps with special needs children or dependents, counseling and other services for the less fortunate. Finally, Charlie also is very active in assembling and delivering Thanksgiving baskets to needy military families.

Carolyn S. Dobschensky

The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT)

Saginaw Council #43

Saginaw, Michigan

Carolyn has been a member of The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America's (UCT's) Saginaw Council #43 for 24 years. Her membership actually totals 30 years when including the years she spent as part of the organization's Ladies' Auxiliary. She became a member of UCT in order to learn about leadership, and she believes she has achieved that goal by working extensively at the local, Grand (regional) and Supreme (international) levels to help advance UCT's mission.

Carolyn has become involved in a number of community activities through UCT. She has volunteered for an annual golf outing that raises funds for a local rescue mission. The most important significant activity, however, is through Community Village, an assisted living facility in Saginaw. Carolyn serves as president of the annual Strawberry Festival, which raises around $5,000 annually and contributes such “extras” for Community Village's residents as bowling, fall color tours, museum visits, theater outings, lunches and Christmas gifts. The Festival involves 175-200 volunteers from various groups, including 30 members from Saginaw Council #43.  In addition, Council #43 sponsors the festival's food court.

In 2006, Carolyn was awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” plaque from Community Village. Though she appreciates the recognition, she considers the greatest reward to be the good feeling that comes from seeing the Village's residents being able to engage in activities they wouldn't be able to enjoy if the Strawberry Festival did not take place.

During her time in the Ladies' Auxiliary, Carolyn received honors at the local, Grand and Supreme levels. She is still active in the Auxiliary Past Supreme Counselors' Association and currently serves on the May E. Tisdale Educational Trust Fund committee, which awards annual scholarships to the children and grandchildren of UCT members.

Carolyn has served through the line of offices of Saginaw Council #43, earning her Past Counselor honors, and she has served through the Michigan Grand Council's line of officers, earning her Past Grand Counselor honors. She has worked on most of the council committees at the local level, most importantly at bingo, which contributes generously to the community. At the Grand level, she most recently served as convention chairman, and she currently holds the position of Grand Promotional Director. She has served on the auditing committee at the Supreme level and chaired the installations for Past Supreme Counselor (past international president) David McKay and current Supreme Counselor (international president) David Piper.

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.