The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"

Fraternal MVPs-Week of July 17, 2006

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of July 17, 2006. 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.

Judy Lindberg
Modern Woodmen of America
Camp #15262
Dell Rapids, South Dakota
Judy recently was honored by Modern Woodmen for having logged more than 10,000 volunteer service hours. She averages more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service each year. She also was named Modern Woodmen’s Fraternalist of the Year on the state level from the South Dakota State Fraternal Congress, and received Modern Woodmen of America’s national 2006 Fraternalist of the Year Runner-up Award.

Judy has volunteered as the leader of two local Modern Woodmen youth service clubs for the past 11 years, serving as an assistant leader the four years prior. As a club leader for local kids and teens, she coordinated many volunteer projects to help local kids help the community in 2005. Club members:

	visited senior apartments, playing games with residents;
	spent time with their “adopted grandparents” in the community;
	cleaned up school grounds, planting trees and spreading mulch;
	cleaned up the fairgrounds;
	collected and contributed donations for a flag pole in Vets Park, donating the flag;
	raised funds for new playground equipment and the Dell Rapids School band program;
	provided clothing to children in need;
	created school supply kits for students affected by Hurricane Katrina and local students in need; and
	remembered veterans with cards and letters and honored servicemen and women overseas with care packages.

Judy is active in other community volunteer roles, such as 4-H club leader, Booster Club board member, member of her church’s board of education, serving as superintendent and a Sunday school teacher, and leader for local business development and downtown restoration.

Mary Beth Ingvoldstad
Sons of Norway
Vikings of Lake 6-166
Lake County, California
 Mary Beth Ingvoldstad radiates energy. Her passion for Norwegian culture and heritage makes her a tireless volunteer for Sons of Norway in a quest to preserve and share Scandinavian traditions. Why Sons of Norway? “Because the name implies what I believe is the best…being brotherly and family-like as we care for and teach one another.”

Her work for Sons of Norway is not restricted to Vikings of Lake 6-166, of which she is president. She also is a past district zone director and has held almost every lodge leadership position (social director, editor, cultural director, secretary and vice president). But it doesn’t end there. Mary Beth has the rare and commendable distinction of being the president of four different lodges in three different states since she first became a member in 1985.

As a retired schoolteacher, Mary Beth finds it especially important to bring new experiences to children and to give them a broad range of cultural experiences. Her involvement with the Adopt-A-School program on both a lodge and district level reinforces the importance to share culture. Besides her 16 years in special education, Mary Beth has worked as a tour coordinator and guide, helps to coordinate Norway Day in San Francisco, is a volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, helps out at Camp Norge and volunteers at Respite Daycare Program.

Ron Cornwell
SPJST
#246-Morgan's Point
Dale, Texas
Ron Cornwell, a member of SPJST Lodge 246, Morgans Point is motivated by determination and hard work to overcome challenges. Ron always consults with all involved to get their input and ideas throughout the year. Ron coordinates events throughout the year for the improvement of his community. These include, but are not limited to, local lodge socials, visiting the SPJST Rest Home in Needville, serving as chairman of a bowling tournament which benefit's the SPJST Scholarship Fund, Young American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.

Ron’s hobby is bowling. His love for this sport has led to his volunteerism in the community to serve as coach for the youth bowling league and the high school bowling team. His patience and energy contributes to the young people’s understanding and ultimate success in bowling. Ron serves as a role model and mentor for the young people in his community. He spends many hours working with youth club members and the youth leaders in the community.

Ron also assists in community clean-up projects, works with the local police to make his community a safer place to live and has assisted with hurricane relief efforts.

Jerry and Theresa Gable
Catholic Ladies of Columbia
Council #7
Ottawa, Ohio

Jerry and Theresa Gable are active members of the Catholic Ladies of Columbia (CLC). Jerry has earned the CLC “Good Guy” award for all his handyman work done in the home office. For six years, while his wife, Theresa, served as the society’s president, he would willingly accompany her to the home office, as he worked to upgrade and enlarge the offices. In addition to volunteering with many projects of his local council, he also is active the Knights of Columbus inOttawa.

Theresa has been very active with the CLC both in her local council, Council #7 in Ottawa, and on the state level. She has served 18 years on the Board of Directors serving in every capacity, including six years as their President. She is a very dedicated person and has helped to organize and carry out several projects for Make A Difference Day and JOIN HANDS DAY.

Jerry and Theresa also are involved in many community activities. Theresa has served as a board member for the Putnam County United Way, Putnam County Home Health Advisory Board, and the Putnam County Red Cross. She also served as the Red Cross Executive Director. In their parish, St. Johns of Glandorf, Theresa is a lector and a former member of the Parish Council, and Jerry has served on the finance committee, advisory committee and as a Eucharistic minister. Jerry also was a coordinator of the parish Boy Scout troop for ten years.



Henry Zamorski
Association of the Sons of Poland
Lodge #93
Linden, New Jersey
Affectionately called “Bucky,” Henry serves as Financial Secretary of his lodge, which also owns and operates a Polish club. He constantly promotes the Sons of Poland at all events, and each month, he collects donations that the society sends to the underprivileged in Poland.

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.