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The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action" 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 5, 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. Melvin J. Holubar Mel initiated court potluck dinners, picnics, skating and Christmas parties attended by both youth and adult members. Over the years, he has held several offices including trustee on the national High Court Board. As current court chief ranger, he recently organized a brunch honoring 40 COF Legion of Honor members cited for their extensive volunteer activities. On JOIN HANDS DAY, Mel, fellow COF and Western Fraternal Life Association members weeded, planted and mulched nine garden areas at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library (NCSML). Over the years, Mel’s zeal for volunteerism included serving as assistant Scoutmaster, Iowa Fraternal Congress (IFC) board member and officer, Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair president, and organizing a Habitat for Humanity workday for fraternals attending IFC’s annual meeting. Since his 1993 retirement, Mel has devoted time to the Granger House Museum and NCSML providing demonstrations, tours and workshops. In recognition of his more than 665 volunteer hours during 2004, Mel received The President’s Volunteer Service Award. He also serves as an usher at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Janice Boyko Janice has been a teacher in the South Allegheny School district for 32 years. She also is active in numerous social and civic organizations. She is a member of St. Sylvester’s Parish, Brentwood, PA, where she serves as a lector, youth group and festival volunteer. Janice works with the Brentwood Fourth of July celebration, serving on several committees including directing the Brentwood Firecracker 5K Race. Each summer, Janice has been the chair of the McKeesport Relay for Life. Her own team this year is named “The Little Rascals” and is comprised of her students and their families. Their entry fee and sponsorship was provided by her FCSLA Branch #77. Over the past 16 years, Janice has raised thousands of dollars for Special Olympics, cystic fibrosis and leukemia charities by running marathons. She often jokes that “God gave her a strong Slovak body,” so helping others seems only appropriate. John J. Tell For the past several years, he has rung the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. “It is a small gift of time that I can give each year to help me remember how much I have and how much I should appreciate it,” John said. He has already started his three-year senior project, where he led a food drive that benefited the Second Harvest Food Pantry. Due to that food drive, the staff and students of Villa Maria Academy were able to donate more than 100 pounds of food this year alone. As a member of Loyal Christian Benefit Association’s (LCBA) Branch #49, he is proud of the effort put towards Operation H.U.G. (Heroes Under God). Together, the branch collected necessities and luxuries, and packed and shipped them to soldiers fighting in Iraq. He also is a member of the LCBA Youth Council, which is preparing a three-day youth convention that will encourage leadership and how to work well with others. Cecile Damour Pelissier As a volunteer, Cecile has dedicated many years to fundraising at her children’s Catholic schools. She was chairperson for the yearly Mt. St. Mary Gala and the yearly fashion show. As officer of ACA, she helped organize a Christmas dinner with the students of the French language class at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, NH. During the past two years, she has been involved with Marguerite’s Place, a shelter in Nashua for battered women and children. Last year, she introduced the shelter’s director to more than 100 persons who participated in her chapter’s Brunch de la Francophonie in March, made a donation in the name of the ACA Chapter of Nashua, in addition to the many generous donations given to the director by those present at the brunch. For several years, her most rewarding time was spent as a volunteer, teaching swimming to children with disabilities. Being a non-swimmer herself until the age of 30, Cecile understands the fear and apprehension of these children.
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. |
A 55-year member of Catholic Order of Foresters (COF), Mel became involved at an early age in his court serving as youth director until being called up for military service during the Korean War. Upon his return, he formed his hometown’s first Boy Scout Troop and, after college, helped revitalize St. Patrick Court.
Janice lives her life as a true fraternalist, tirelessly dedicating her life to helping her community, her local parish and FCSLA Branch #77 in McKeesport, PA, of which she has been a member for more than 50 years. Her Slovak heritage is alive in many of her activities, including a long-running streak of attending Slovak Day at Kennywood Park each July.
John is a 16-year-old sophomore at Villa Maria Academy. Currently, he is involved in two “Feed My People” projects—one at his church, Luther Memorial, and the other at his school. The funds raised will benefit both Emmaus Soup Kitchen and the Bethany Lutheran Church Food Pantry. This is his second year with “Feed My People,” having collected and donated $500.00 to Bethany Food Pantry the first year.
Cecile has helped her chapter clean the grounds of the Friendship Club for the Handicapped, a club funded by private donations and serving the population of Nashua. In addition, she participated in the  |
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