The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of July 23, 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 July 23, 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.
Connie Bland
Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Kankakee Arbor
Kankakee, Illinois
For 11 years, Connie worked at the literacy program of Kankakee Community College. When budget cuts forced the program to end, Connie took action. She started a literacy program on her own, soliciting both funds and volunteers. The Kankakee Valley Adult Reading and Literacy Program now has been operating for over four years and has had more than 100 trained tutors and 125 students. Connie continues to recruit volunteers and heads all the fundraising efforts.
Connie and her husband conduct regular book drives at various libraries for the children's program, and started the library in Pembroke several years ago. They also have supplied Indian Oaks Academy with books and tutors, as well as Brandon House at Diversatech and the Women's Prison on Rt. 102.
Connie is a member of Gleaner’s Kankakee Arbor. Connie also serves on her Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chapter Board and as a congregational communicator for six years. She was past Sunday School Superintendent for 11 years, currently serves on the Evangelism Board and is a choir leader and organist at Risen Savior Lutheran Church. She also taught vacation Bible school and is a children’s leader for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in Orland Park, Illinois.
She sponsors a Red Cross Blood Drive every February and a JOIN HANDS DAY community clean-up and flower planting day in Manteno every May. Every three weeks, Connie cleans the local pregnancy center. She takes care of the spring and fall cleaning at Risen Savior’s, too.
Connie is the mother of five children, grandmother of 14 and great-grandmother of five. Her hobbies include reading, singing, gardening, travel, crocheting and church-related activities.
Connie volunteers because of the success stories. “Trying to change a life is very rewarding.”
Laurie Pethan
National Mutual Benefit
Branch #695
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
In the community of Fond du Lac, Laurie volunteers through National Mutual Benefit. Laurie has been the President of Branch #695 since 2002. It has been her main focus as president to have the branch reach out to the community, by partnering with the local Lion’s group, Girl Scouts and a teen volunteer organization. Since taking over as president of her branch, she has been instrumental in spearheading several successful fundraisers. Collectively, her branch has raised more than $22,000 for Hospice Hope through a spaghetti dinner/raffle event, and $4,000 from a pancake breakfast for Free Spirit Riders, Inc. Free Spirit Riders is a riding stable that offers therapeutic riding lessons for children and young adults with disabilities.
Laurie volunteers with the local Girl Scouts as a cookie mom, planning and coordinating the cookie sale for several troops. She attends Marian College full-time and was elected to the position of Vice President for the college’s School of Education Club, holding the position of Student Senate Representative at that same college. She will graduate with honors from Marian College with a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education in May 2008. Laurie also tutors children with special needs at the local elementary school, and this summer, is teaching a little girl from Romania to speak and understand the English language.
In addition to attending college full-time, Laurie owns and operates a State Licensed family childcare center. Laurie is married and is the mother of four children, ages 20, 18, 11 and 9.
Rita Cerankowski
Polish Roman Catholic Union of America
Detroit, Michigan
Rita has been involved with the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA) Halka Dancers since 1969, when she enrolled her daughter Laura, in the newly organized “East Side PRCUA Dance School.” She served as President of the Parents Club until 1981, at which time she accepted the position of Director, celebrating her 26th year as School Director this year. Rita has been actively involved in planning all 16 PRCUA Michigan State Balls for the graduating seniors, including the five joint presentation balls held at the old Polish American Century Club in Detroit.
Rita is a member of the Polish Museum of America, St. Mary’s Orchard Lake Ladies Auxiliary, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish Council, Vice President of the PRCUA Women’s Division in Michigan and a choir member at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish. Active with the Halka dancers promoting fraternalism and Polish heritage, she has participated in Polish/American Night with the Detroit Tigers every year since the beginning (1970); St. Mary's Orchard Lake Polish Country Fair (17 years), St. Florian Parish Strawberry Festival (6 years), and the PRCUA Youth Bowling Day (6 years).
Her go-give fraternal spirit reaches across geographic, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Her participation with the Michigan Fraternal Congress includes:
· 2006 - Project Hope – For residents of Roscommon County – toiletries, etc..
· 2005 – For Saginaw Neighborhood House – toiletries, etc.
· 2004 – Kids in distress services – cloths, stuffed animals, etc.
· 2003 – RAVE – for the needy – Non-perishable food, toiletries, etc.
· 2002 – Father Fred Foundation, Traverse City collection – Non-perishable food, toiletries, etc.
· 2001 – For Otsego County – Non-perishable food, toiletries, etc.
· 2000 – Operation Toy Box, Children disaster area – Games, books, stuffed animals, puzzles, videos, doll house, hobby horse, etc.
· 1999 – Men & Women at veterans’ administration hospital, Ann Arbor – Socks, Underwear, toiletries, personal comfort items and cash
· 1998 – Ann Arbor Peace Neighborhood – Books, games, toys, crayons, paper towel and cash.
· 1997 – Saginaw homeless – Clothing Drive
· 1996 – Washington D.C. shelter homes – baby items.
· 1995 – Homeless – Socks, underwear, etc.
She helped organize a group of youth and adults to participate in JOIN HANDS DAY activities through the Michigan Fraternal Congress at the Polish Army Veterans Home in Sterling Heights, Michigan, in May 2004 and May 2007. Rita encouraged her PRCUA dance school families to donate money as part of "Pennies for Poland: Children helping Children" campaign. The proceeds went to the American Polish Assistance Association to assist in sending clothes, school supplies and other necessary items to Eastern European orphanages.
Rita is the wife of the late Eugene Cerankowski, mother of Marc, Paul and Laura (Dan) Hejza and babcia of Brandon and Katelyn Hejza.
Philip Stramski
Knights of Columbus
Council #5396
Choctaw, Oklahoma
The youngest member of a large family, Philip Stramski was involved with the church, community and council since he could barely walk. At the age of four, he could be seen chasing at the heels of his father, as he headed to council events. He helped serve the council during his teenage years and became an official member just one month after his 18th birthday.
While in boot camp in the Marines, Philip was named a religious lay leader and was given the responsibility of making sure that his platoon had all their religious needs met by the base chaplain. When he returned home from active duty, he jumped quickly into his council’s activities. He accepted an officer position and since has served as Recorder, Chancellor and Deputy Grand Knight. He has volunteered his time by helping at the Knights’ Christmas tree lot, collecting money for people with intellectual disabilities and working at the monthly pancake breakfast. In 2003, Philip was elected Grand Knight, an office he held for three years. Under his leadership, membership grew and the council found new ways to raise money for charities in the area. Philip’s hard work was illustrated by the attention and awards the council received, including the Star Council Award. Philip’s hard work and dedication gained notice when he made his fourth degree and then became a district deputy. Philip devotes himself not only to the Knights, but also to his parish and to his hometown, Nicoma Park, Oklahoma.
Philip became a member of the parish council in the mid-1990s, and later was elected to two terms as a member of the parish board. Philip also serves as a lector and as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in his parish. Philip also became highly involved with parish’s Renew group, serving as Parish Renew Coordinator, serving on a core committee and leading a small group.
In his community, Philip has coached basketball and youth league soccer. Now happily married, Philip is very involved with the Knights and the church, giving all he can back to his hometown.
Since childhood Philip has been deeply involved with Nicoma Park and Our Lady of Fatima Parish. He was brought up to give back to all those around him and to be the best person he can. Philip has lived up to that teaching and set a high standard for all through his dedication and devotion to his parish, council, community and country.
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.
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