The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of January 7, 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 January 7, 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.
Tina Rigler
Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ)
Lodge #449
Cicero, Illinois
Tina Rigler, a member of SNPJ Lodge #449 in Cicero, Ill., has been active in the Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ) for 30 years. She has held many offices, including those of Lodge #1 president; Lodge #449 recording secretary, vice president and president; and Chicago District Federation president. She currently serves as Lodge #449 secretary-treasurer, as an auditor for the Chicago District Federation of SNPJ Lodges, and as Region #6 Vice President on the SNPJ National Board. She also earned the titles of Miss SNPJ and Miss Talent during the 1981 Miss SNPJ Pageant.
Tina’s extensive involvement within SNPJ is due in great part to her interest in the Slovenian culture. She knows many Slovenian folk songs and dances, having performed in ethnic costume at several events. She can even play a few tunes on the button box. She keeps up with her cultural knowledge through her children who attend classes at the Slovenian Cultural Center, where she often volunteers. Tina always shows an interest in maintaining a strong society by encouraging youth member participation through the Voice of Youth and the SNPJ TEL Workshop, and she is constantly looking to recruit field agents in her area to help facilitate new member enrollment and promote SNPJ benefits.
Tina resides in Lemont, Ill., with her husband of 22 years, Vince, and their three sons, Justin (14), Robert (11) and Jason (8). Outside of SNPJ, Tina displays leadership through involvement within the community. An active parent, she holds the positions of Cub Scout Pack 149 den leader, Boy Scout Troop 337 committee member and PW7 Little League team manager. She also volunteers at various school events because she enjoys teaching and motivating children. Tina is currently employed as a legal secretary with a suburban Chicago law firm. She has been working in the legal field for more than 25 years.
Bill Lewin
Foresters
Redwood Branch
Euclid, Ohio
Bill has been a member of Foresters Redwood Branch since 1969, and has held various officer positions within the branch, serving the last five years as president. The branch has partnered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, donating money and helping with the Great Strides walks in Lake County, Ohio. His branch also partnered with a local group of firefighters, “Chariots of Fire,” in their annual “Pedal to the Point” event, which raises money for Multiple Sclerosis. The Redwood Branch supported the MS Society with a monetary donation as well. In addition, Bill and his branch work with the North High Boosters, selling instant-win tickets at their bingo nights and donating money used toward a Foresters scholarship.
Bill works closely with the Knights of Columbus in Wickliffe, Ohio, for the Special Olympics program by helping pack lunches and serving as a judge in the field events. Bill is a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and is a certified baseball umpire and basketball referee. He was inducted into the Euclid High School Sports Hall of Fame in October 2005. Bill has been active in two area Square Dance Clubs, served five years as Wagonmaster for the MEUS Regional Council campout and is a member of the Amateur Softball Association.
Opal Olson
Royal Neighbors of America (RNA)
Chapter #2993
Mapleton, Iowa
Opal has remained active in her community for several years, volunteering at the Maple Heights Nursing Home and the Mapleton Food Pantry. She has been president of the nursing home auxiliary for several years, where they host many community events. Opal organized a bread-bowl dinner fundraiser, using some of the donations to purchase blanket heaters for the nursing-home residents.
Opal and her chapter gather food for the Mapleton Food Pantry, and also delivered fruit baskets to some of the shut-ins around town. She is involved with planning activities for the monthly RNA chapter meetings and outings.
Opal is her chapter “historian,” documenting all of their meeting minutes, details from community service projects and events, the member contact list, and the calendar for the following year. The members enjoy this book because it reflects back on all of the wonderful things the chapter has accomplished.
Opal is a retired widow with two children. She has four grandchildren and her entire family belongs to Royal Neighbors of America.
George Atencio
Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA)
Post A
Denver, Colorado
George currently is serving as TPA’s National Third Vice President, as State President and Community Service Chair, Post President and Welfare Chair. He has held all other offices and committee chairs at the state and local level since joining the Association in 1972.
During his tenure as a member of TPA, he has been instrumental in helping to start programs that benefited others in the Denver community. The Annual Kite Day at Laradon Hall benefits mentally and physically impaired children and adults. The local post supplies kites for each participant and members help them fly their kites. A pot-luck lunch is supplied by the parents of the children in cooperation with the local members. This year, they also helped at the Sabin School with this program.
At the request of a local YMCA, George was requested to serve on a planning committee for a Senior Prom. He provided gifts and refreshments for the successful event. He also helped start an annual yard sale to fund the expenses of these programs and member post-recognition programs. Funds also were used to provide fruit baskets to sick members and their families.
George has been active in the Knights of Columbus, holding many of the offices. He was a helper in their “Care and Share Program” and co-chair of the “Eastern Slope,” collecting donations of shoes, clothing, building materials, furniture and wheelchairs for distribution in the “Western Slope.” The return trip brought fruits and vegetables for those in need. In one instance, they were able to obtain furnishings to equip a start-up church in Mexico.
George started a “Care and Share Program” in the TPA post. Food items such as bread, dairy products, canned and bakery goods, and paper items are collected and distributed to shelters for the homeless, expectant mothers, low-income buildings for senior citizens and a senior-citizen recreation center.
Once a month, George volunteers as a driver for “Coffee House” for mentally and physically impaired persons where they receive a meal, attend mass and have an evening of games and social activities. Around the 4th of July, an outdoor picnic is held with fireworks to end the day.
George volunteers as Santa Claus at Mount Saint Vincent Home for troubled teen and pre-teen school kids. A giving tree is a source of gifts and cash donations for the program. He also volunteers at Mullen Home for the Aged. His other community involvement over the years has included serving as a member of the Board of Education, director at a community credit union, chair of Jaycees fundraisers and a scout leader. In addition, George serves his church as greeter, usher, reader, choir member and Eucharistic minister.
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.
|
