The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of July 9, 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 9, 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.
Helen H.
Modern Woodmen of America
Camp #17152
Alexandria, Louisiana
Helen says she learned to be a giving person early in life from her loving family. She’s logged more than 600 hours of volunteer service in her 10 years as a member of Youth Service Club #17152-1, and in 2006, was named a Modern Woodmen of America Outstanding Youth Volunteer. Helen helps her mom, Stephanie, the club’s leader, prepare for meetings and assists younger children in the activities. This year, the club’s JOIN HANDS DAY project received a “Shining Star” distinction from Modern Woodmen. Helen set up the project by transporting and organizing food items, and then helped make over 120 bags for the homeless in Alexandria. She particularly enjoys visiting the elderly with the club, and looks forward to fellowshipping each month at the Camp #17152 pizza dinners.
After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Helen and her junior-high basketball team hosted a welcome banquet for 150 displaced students and their families. They showed them around the school and helped connect the incoming athletes with prospective teammates and coaches, so they’d feel comfortable signing up. Helen shared some of her school uniforms with the new students, donated coats and bought them school supplies. She continues even now to help hurricane victims, recently traveling with a church group to New Orleans to tear down a house for a family in need.
Helen consistently reaches out to others. She invites guests to club activities, and at school avoids being exclusive, preferring to be friends with all students. Her school spirit, sense of fairness and natural leadership qualities led to her being elected freshman class president this past school year.
Helen lives with her sister Shirley, brother Mitch, and her mom and dad, who she says “love us very much.” She’ll be a 10th grader this fall at Holy Savior Menard High School and is active in sports, playing soccer and varsity basketball. This summer, in addition to babysitting, Helen is participating in basketball camps both as a team member and as a counselor to younger players. She’s a member of the 9th-10th grade Student Council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and her church youth group. One day she hopes to become a pediatrician or family medicine doctor.
Brenda Broering
Catholic Knights
Branch #943
Cassella, Ohio
Brenda is a lifelong member of Catholic Knights and has been secretary of Branch #943 in Cassella, Ohio, for the last two years. Although brief in comparison to the service years of seasoned Catholic Knights branch officers, Brenda brings a youthful enthusiasm and fresh approach to her position. In her first year as an officer, she was instrumental in her branch’s two JOIN HANDS DAY projects, one at which young people planted flowers at local nursing homes and the other at which youth and adults cleaned and painted the local 4-H camp. Brenda also was active in fundraisers sponsored by her branch. One was the annual “turkey shoot,” at which participants shoot clay birds, stationary targets and may purchase food and drinks to raise money in support of activities and donations made by the branch throughout the year. The branch also hosts a benefit card party from which proceeds go to support a mission in Peru. Brenda’s branch also sponsored a family picnic, monthly meetings, and a Christmas party at which Santa visited with the children and a local bell choir provided entertainment.
Brenda is very active with her local 4-H organization. She acts as an advisor and provides leadership for a number of events each year. In 2006, she served as a counselor at the 4-H camp. She enjoyed working with the other volunteers and especially with the children preparing meals, working on craft projects and staging campfire skits for the entertainment at the camp. Brenda also organized 4-H groups to clean the grounds at a local event called “Countryfest” and coordinated a petting zoo for small children at a local festival.
As a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) advisor, religious education teacher and lector at Mass, Brenda is very involved in her parish. She teaches two religion classes, one with 3rd graders and one with high-school sophomores. She also is coach to the girls CYO basketball team. Under Brenda’s leadership, girls involved in the CYO basketball program come away with more than just athletic skills. They are responsible for setting up the gym prior to games, finding referees to work at games, and must participate in two service projects before they are eligible to play basketball. In this way, as Brenda says, they are “helping themselves while helping the church.” The CYO group also organizes fundraising activities to support its programs. Brenda assists with the largest of these efforts, the annual chili dinner.
Brenda estimates that she volunteers at least five hours every week for her branch, her parish, and the 4-H group. Catholic Knights is grateful for Brenda’s service and her decision to become involved in her branch.
Verla Mae Shultz
Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh (GBU)
District #291
Summerhill, Pennsylvania
Verla Mae is the pure definition of fraternalism. Being community minded, she is consistently volunteering her help in the Summerhill, New Germany and Johnstown areas to various organizations.
In 1962, Verla Mae became an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Summerhill, where she served as Unit President for eight years. Currently, she serves as Treasurer and Parliamentarian of the Cambria County Council for the Auxiliary. In the past, she served the Auxiliary as District President, Western Vice President, Department Historian and Parliamentarian. Under her leadership as Auxiliary Department President and Eastern Vice President, they won many state and national awards. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Legion Homeless Veterans Corporation. Under her past guidance as Department President, they raised and donated $40,000 to the Corporation. Each Christmas, she goes on a Christmas tour of all the VA Hospitals in Pennsylvania and distributes good cheer and gifts to the veterans. Verla Mae began a program for the Keystone Girl State Program 13 years ago, which raises and donates between $12,000 and $14,000 a year for the girls.
Verla Mae joined the GBU Summerhill District #291 in 1978. In 1982, she became an active GBU District Sales Representative for both her district and District #500 in Lily, PA. As an outstanding district officer and leader, she has been elected as a delegate of her district for every GBU National Convention since 1985. Serving as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Summerhill district for many years, she has been instrumental in winning many awards for the district. Her salesmanship as a District Representative has won her numerous awards including the GBU Million Dollar club. Additionally, her “beyond the call of duty” fraternal efforts have won her GBU’s highest fraternal recognition, the Louis Volz Award.
As a retired nurse with 25 years of experience on the oncology floor at Lee Hospital in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, she is now a nurse volunteer at the Keystone Girl State Program. Additionally, she still does volunteer work at several local nursing homes and her Methodist Church in South Fork. As the Building Co-Chairman for the Senior Citizen Center in South Fork, Verla Mae raised funds to build a new center.
Verla Mae is the mother of two children, Ken and Linda, and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of which are members of GBU.
Brenda Nash
Catholic Life Insurance
Yorktown Branch #91
Yorktown, Texas
Brenda says the only reason she volunteers is because she has kids. Those that know the spunky blonde know that’s just an excuse. This bundle of energy that lives in small farming community in south central Texas is just a girl who can’t say “no.”
The list of organizations that she’s active in is daunting. Besides serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Catholic Life Yorktown Branch, she’s a member of Order of the Sons of Hermann, Woodmen of the World and Catholic Daughters.
Additionally, she gives generously of her time to the Athletic Booster Club, the Junior High Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), the Flamingos Relay for Life and the Dewitt County Compassionate Friends Chapter.
She says, “Flipping hamburgers, purchasing ingredients, stocking shelves, selling hamburgers, and cleaning up is hard work. The friendships made and problems solved through our conversations while working make this something I really look forward to.”
JOIN HANDS DAY and Make A Difference Day also rank as some of her favorite activities. These days of service are “truly, truly the most fulfilling and rewarding feelings one can get!” Each year, Brenda has been the one to round up teams of youth and adults to beautify the Holy Cross Church grounds.
In her spare time, Brenda and her husband work full-time and are parents to three teenagers.
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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