The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of June 25, 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 June 25, 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.
Katalin Varga
Hungarian Reformed Federation of America (HRFA)
Branch #35
Brownstown, Michigan
Katalin is the branch manager of HRFA Branch #35. In her branch, she helped to implement the HRFA’s Appalachian Project, which aids the disadvantaged in the Appalachian region, and organized the branch’s JOIN HANDS DAY activities and annual picnic. Throughout the year, she cared for and maintained the flowers planted on JOIN HANDS DAY. On Make A Difference Day, she dedicated her time and energy to visit, to listen to, and to encourage the nursing-home residents in her community. She also has spent much of her time serving food in a homeless shelter.
“Volunteer work was part of my life from childhood,” Katalin said. “My mother was one who spent much time helping out many in our town and serving the community. Since then, my passion is to plan and execute volunteer projects.”
Katalin has volunteered for numerous activities at her church, such as organizing the Advent by Candlelight program, preparing the church bulletin, and starting the Operation Christmas Child program at her church. She also teaches Sunday school and spends a lot of time painting and decorating the interior of the church’s Sunday school rooms.
“It is my desire to give children an example of compassionate behavior and caring for others,” Katalin said.
Katalin’s husband is a minister, and they have a son, Joe. Throughout her professional life, Katalin has enjoyed working with people and also tries to be compassionate about other’s needs, helping out where she can.
Sandra Striegler
Catholic Life Insurance
Fredericksburg Branch #8
Fredericksburg, Texas
To say that Fredericksburg-native Sandra Striegler is an active member of St. Mary’s Church Community would be an understatement. Sandra has been a lector for more than 20 years and a Eucharistic minister for three. She regularly launders and mends the altar servers’ robes. She currently is president of Adoration Community Theology Service (ACTS) Core and has been a team member, cook or co-director of seven ACTS Retreats.
Additionally, she has been a 4-H adult leader for more than 20 years, and a St. Mary’s 4-H Club manager for five years.
In her spare time, Sandra, who is a dental hygienist, volunteers her professional services each month at the Good Samaritan Clinic in Fredericksburg.
Sandra and her husband, Kenny, have two children.
Robert G. (Bob) Smith
Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA)
Illinois Division, Post E
Peoria, Illinois
As a member of TPA, Bob serves as president and chair of several committees within his division and post. As chair of the DNA Kit committee, he sought donations to help purchase the materials for the kits, held meetings at various organizations to explain the DNA Kit programs, helped put the kits together and then distributed them within the community. At last count, 4,125 DNA kits were distributed in 12 schools and more have been since then. He also volunteered at local TPA bike rodeos to inspect bikes to ensure they were safe, and to teach children how to safely ride their bikes.
Bob also traveled with a past national president to visit other posts in Illinois to provide assistance with their programs and presented the DNA Kit program during these visits. He also was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, along with other post members, who were awarded third place for fraternal groups supporting the program.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus Spalding Council #427, Bob has chaired their Tootsie Roll drive for 30 years, from which profits of more than $10,000 have been donated to the mentally handicapped. He also is the chair of the raffle to raise financial aid to those seeking a religious life as priest, nun or brother. As a lector, Bob promotes programs and speakers at monthly meetings, and serves as chair of a group to assist the handicapped attending Shrine Circus. He also belongs to Spalding Assembly #0206, and serves as its membership-directory chair, seeking ads from businesses to defray the cost of the directory.
Bob has been a board member of the Peoria Area Blind People’s Center and is chair of maintenance responsible for all upkeep and repairs. He has chaired the John Deere Golf Tournament to obtain materials for the tournament program. Bob handles all finances, funds, donations and bills and participates in all fundraising programs for the Blind Center. He provides transportation for blind persons twice a month for monthly meetings and jam sessions, and has traveled to Springfield to seek a van for the center through a state grant.
His parish is a benefactor of his volunteerism through membership in the Men’s Club and help provided for the club’s projects. He serves as an usher during services and was a member of the 50th Anniversary Committee.
Joyce Mosley
Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society
Lodge #1 & Lodge #35
Marysville, Washington
Joyce Mosley has donated approximately 2,200 hours of her time to various organizations, not in her lifetime, but just this past year. Much of that time has been spent with Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen activities. She is a trustee of Lodge #35 and has been secretary of Lodge #1 for 18 years. She also is secretary of the Northwest Territory Jurisdiction for Omaha Woodmen. She organized the arts and crafts at Omaha Woodmen Senior Camp in Washington, and she organizes JOIN HANDS DAY and Make A Difference Day projects. She has held every office in the Washington State Fraternal Congress, where she is now the Sergeant at Arms.
Outside of her involvement with fraternals, Joyce is extremely active in the community. She is the treasurer of Chapter #2308 of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), an active participant in her church, volunteers at the Northwest Harvest and Marysville food banks, and is an active participant in the Elder Fair in Everett. She shares her talents of crocheting with others by donating blankets and caps she has made to the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Hospital in Seattle, the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association. She often visits nursing homes and drives elderly friends to meetings, church and doctor’s appointments.
Joyce also takes time for herself by exercising nearly every day, and attends church every Sunday morning and evening, as well as Wednesday nights. Joyce is a friend to all who meet her, and is a faithful, dedicated member to all the organizations she belongs to.
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.
|
