The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"

Fraternal MVPs—Week of March 10, 2008

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of March 10, 2008. 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.

Cindy Ludtke

National Mutual Benefit

Northwoods #925

Suring, Wisconsin

Cindy has volunteered with National Mutual Benefit’s branch system for 20 years. She was a trustee with the Shiocton Branch until she moved to Suring, Wis. She then volunteered as a trustee on Northwoods Branch #925, then she became vice president, followed by election as branch president in 1996. She currently is president of NMB Northwoods Branch #925.

“My goal in volunteering is to lighten the hearts of those who are needy,” Cindy said. Her volunteer work started early as she remembers writing to her aunts, helping her aunt who had a stroke, helping another that had limited vision, and helping her own mother who was in a wheelchair for 35 years. “I didn’t take my health for granted. I wanted them to be happy and have an easier time doing things.”

Because she has lived on a farm, Cindy has learned the value of helping others and joining together to accomplish a project. “Bringing our time, effort, and resources into our rural community is what Branch #925 is all about,” Cindy said. Her branch has helped bring youth and adults together for JOIN HANDS DAY landscaping projects, helped build a new library, partnered with other organizations to organize fundraisers for tornado victims, helped with rescue and fire department projects, organized library programs and helped food pantries benefit the local communities.

The Northwoods of Wisconsin was hit by a tornado in June of 2007. Branch #925 helped the community of Mountain, Wis., by sponsoring the Riverview Tornado Benefit that included a brat fry, dance and prizes. Her branch was able to match funds dollar for dollar in the amount of $2,500 and help disburse more than $23,000 to the local community.

Her branch has helped with school projects such as prizes for rewards, patriotic poster contests, AIDS, drug and alcohol awareness, school supplies for the needy and career day. Cindy and her branch have helped the Relay for Life cancer program and for the past few years, they have donated school supplies and food to the NewCaps Pantry and the Oconto Food Pantry. Cindy is the branch contact person for their annual scholarship, which disburses four scholarships totaling $1,000 to local branch members who have demonstrated an interest in community involvement.

Cindy’s branch also participated in the Memorial Day service at the Spruce Cemetery to honor those who have given their lives. Her branch also volunteers at the nursing home and participates in many medical needs benefits (hearing aides, cancer victims, handicap-accessible picnic areas and boat-docks).

Cindy is a choral music teacher. She says her passion is to let students get the chance to feel good about themselves and give them an opportunity to sing and speak in front of people.

Cindy’s husband and two teenage children help her sing and volunteer for many activities, such as school functions, nursing homes, patriotic functions, veteran’s programs and church events (including youth programs, choir, committees, and fundraisers to help build a new church). For the past few years, her family has shared their musical talents to make Christmas a little brighter for the Woodland Village Nursing Home.

“Being a part of National Mutual Benefit has made my life, my family’s lives, and my community more fulfilled! I am truly grateful.”

Suzanne Rufiange

The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America

Tri-City Council #823

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Suzanne Y. Rufiange has been a member of The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America's (UCT) Tri-City Council #823, Fitchburg, Mass., for 24 years, and her membership in the organization is a family affair. Her husband, Leo, and their children are active members, and Suzanne has come to regard her UCT friends as family as well.

Suzanne has served through the line of offices of Tri-City Council #823, earning her Past Counselor honors, and has served as Grand Secretary of the New England Grand (regional) Council, earning her Past Grand Counselor honors.

Suzanne says that becoming involved in UCT has helped her to grow and given her the confidence to become more active in her local community. Along with being a mentor and promoting others, Suzanne's involvement includes decorating the council's float for Fitchburg's annual Fourth of July parade, supporting the local American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event, volunteering for Special Olympics, supporting a local food pantry, coordinating can and coat drives to benefit scouts and underprivileged persons, supporting UCT's Scholarship Program for students seeking to teach people with intellectual disabilities, and serving as secretary for a local scholarship fund. In addition to all of this, Suzanne has found time to serve as her church's parish council secretary and finance committee chairperson - and to run a bingo program. She has also served as secretary-treasurer and president of the New England Fraternal Congress.

A community project that is especially close to Suzanne's heart is the support of Tri-City Council #823's sponsorship of a special needs (intellectual disabilities) Boy Scout troop. Funds are raised for scouting fees, projects, summer camps, etc. Suzanne recently facilitated a trip for the troops to participate in the New England Fraternal Congress Summer Meeting Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony held at Pequot Museum at Foxwoods in Connecticut.

The Rufiange family was honored as the New England Family of the Year by the New England Fraternal Congress. But such honors are not why Suzanne continues to be an active fraternalist. She remains involved because she knows personally how fraternalism can change people's lives and she wants to share that experience with others.

Gwendolyn Hicks
Foresters

Hollywood Branch

Hollywood, California

Gwendolyn Hicks is an extremely dedicated member of the Foresters. Gwen has always supported her branch and always goes the extra mile in everything she does. She is involved with the schools that her sons attend, and also is very active with her church in West Covina.

Since 1997, when Gwen became a member of Foresters, she has held various positions in the Hollywood Branch. Gwen was installed in 1998 and served as Branch Secretary for six years. She was installed as Vice President in 2004, and installed as President in 2006. Through her leadership and hard work, she has revitalized the Hollywood Branch into a branch that serves its members, is a leader in the community and is a consistently strong fundraiser. She did this by bringing back the teamwork and feel of pride in the branch by the officers. Gwen is constantly looking for a way to improve the branch and get the members more involved in the community.

In her spare time, Gwen is Team Mom Coordinator for the National Junior Basketball (NJB) Association and Assistant Team Coordinator for the Upland Basketball league. She provides transportation for several members of the Covina High School Boys Jr. Varsity basketball, and Girl’s Jr. Varsity team.
 

Gwen is a strong fundraiser and supporter of charities, such as Ronald McDonald Charities, CMN, Loma Linda University Pediatric Cancer Research, All American Boys Chorus, Riverside University Braveheart fundraiser for their sports program, in addition to the CHLA Telethon. She, along with her husband, R.T., and their two sons, are regular volunteers at Hollywood Branch Bingo Night at the Kensington.

The Hicks Family volunteered at a Ronald McDonald House event, where for a $1,500 donation, one can sponsor a school basketball team to compete in the Shooting Hoops program. Gwen wants to combine her efforts with Ronald McDonald House and her boys’ school, with “Hoops for Hope.” She also is working with the idea that she would like to create a Hollywood Branch Forester team using the boys’ school and youth group.

In the past years, Gwen worked at Pomona Valley Hospital as a patient representative, also assisting on computer training and technician. Currently, she volunteers at her children’s school helping out where she can.

William H. Fischhaber

Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh

GBU District #510

Toledo, Ohio

Before retirement William “Bill” H. Fischhaber was a teacher in special education at Clay High School. Special education was a field Bill fit into very comfortably. Bill is a very friendly person and has the patience and depth of mind to understand and work with the exceptional students. Many students Bill had in class continue to visit him. No doubt this is due to the warmth and compassion he gave to each student. Bill’s relationship with children dates back to when he was live-in Boy’s Counselor at the former Lutheran Orphan’s Home.

Bill does volunteer work for several organizations:

·         Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society (OJHS) –  Past President

·         Mobile Meals of Toledo – meal deliveries

·         St. Charles Hospital – Ombudsman in emergency room

·         Greater Beneficial Union of Toledo – ground maintenance

·         The Oregonian Club – Oregon Fest/scholarship

·         The Toledo Swiss Society – Scholarship Committee

·         German American Festival Committee – Ground set up and cooking for Annual Festival

·         St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Long time active member. Past President of Lutheran Brotherhood, former usher, summer camp, communion activities and St. Paul’s representative to The Luther Home of Mercy in Williston, Ohio.