The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"

Fraternal MVPs-Week of May 15, 2006

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of May 15, 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.

Luella Thomas
Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Chester Arbor #121
Cardington, Ohio
Luella was instrumental in reactivating Chester Arbor (now one of Gleaner’s most active arbors), where she has served as arbor secretary since 1988. In addition to her Gleaner volunteer efforts, she goes on weekly visits to care for sick and invalid neighbors, and sits with homebound persons, enabling caregivers to have time away.

Luella also works with the American Red Cross, by donating blood as well as volunteering with their local organization. She is very active with her local congregation, St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall), by participating in weekly meetings to make comforters for Lutheran World Relief, sewing blankets at home and preparing food for the bereaved. Luella is active with her local American Legion Auxiliary, serving as Auxiliary Chaplain, planning their annual Memorial Day service and helping the bereaved with funeral details. She also serves on the Flower and Card Committee, cooks and serves meals to veterans and helps with the American Legion’s annual “Poppy Sales.”

Robert (Bob) Schladweiler
Catholic Family Life Insurance (CFLI)
West Bend Chapter
West Bend, Wisconsin
Currently nearing 1,000 hours of volunteer service in Catholic Family's volunteer recognition program, Bob's volunteer experience includes Scouting, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Adopt-A-Highway clean-ups, and teaching confirmation and religious education at his parish, St. Francis Cabrini. He also had been a facilitator for the Rainbows Youth Program, a support program for young children faced with stressful family situations.

Bob, who has served as chapter chairperson for several years, is an innovative fraternalist, involving his chapter in numerous community outreach programs. Under his leadership, the West Bend Chapter has earned top activity awards from Catholic Family every year. A great supporter of Catholic education, he has spearheaded the chapter's participation in CFLI's Adopt-A-School program. He also has been instrumental in organizing successful JOIN HANDS DAY activities. His ability to motivate members has extended to his own family, as his adult children have begun to assume chapter leadership roles. Bob's fellow officers describe him as "an excellent leader and a wonderful person to work with who always has new ideas and programs to promote chapter participation." He was named as their Chapter Fraternalist of the Year in 1999.

Belenda Barta
SPJST
SPJST Lodge 202, Jourdanton
Jourdanton, Texas
Belenda motivates by example. As an assistant youth leader at the lodge and district level, she helps to direct youths into projects that make life better for the community and for those who most need assistance. She contributes to all areas of the youth program, including the coordination of lodge and district youth activities, contests and service projects. During Christmas, this included coordinating the lodge's efforts with "CASA" (i.e., Court Appointed Special Advocate), a local child advocacy and assistance group, and providing toys and other personal care items for disadvantaged children in the community. As her lodge's JOIN HANDS DAY coordinator, Belenda organized the effort to clean and beautify the grounds of the Jourdanton Civic Center.

Last fall, Belenda and her husband, Jeff, traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina on personal business. They immediately became involved during their stay by working with local churches and the Salvation Army. They donated time and a vehicle to distribute much needed food, water and other necessities to devastated families who lost their homes in the hurricane. Belenda also is very active in the First Baptist Church in Pleasanton and many school-related organizations, including the Touchdown Football Booster Club, the Softball Home Run Booster Club and the Killzone Volleyball Booster Club. She also served as vice president of the Pleasanton Little League Board.

Annette Koncar
American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ)
St. John the Baptist Lodge #143
Joliet, Illinois
A Annette's community involvement is mostly, but not limited to, her church and school. She is a Eucharistic minister and lector. She delivers communion to the elderly. She is active on the St. Joseph School Board and is a founding member of the St. Joseph School Foundation. She maintains a computer database of more than 3,000 alumni from the school for mailings and fundraising, and is involved in all church and school activities. She also contributes to food collections for the local food pantry and volunteers her time as a judge for the local, Diocesan and Illinois State Science Fairs. And being as busy as she is, Annette also finds time to be a substitute teacher whenever needed.

Not only is Annette involved, herself, but she also encourages youths and adults to participate in and work at many of these functions. She is instrumental in recruiting students to attend JOIN HANDS DAY projects. She also recruits and encourages her own children and many nieces and nephews for many of the projects in which she is involved.

Dianna Ringler-Loafman
The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT)
Fort Worth Downtown Council 934
Fort Worth, Texas
Through her 12-year membership in UCT, Dianna has become involved in a number of community activities including supporting and volunteering for the American Cancer Society, Women's Haven of Tarrant County, the Fort Worth All Church Home, Kids Who Care, and the Arthritis Association. She also supports and volunteers for the Camp Fire Girls and Boys Club, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Camp Bowie Restoration and Historical Cultural District. Other fraternal activities Dianna is involved with include volunteering for junior golf tournaments, JOIN HANDS DAY events, and the organization's safety poster contest for people with intellectual disabilities. She also is active in supporting youth sports and youth scholarships. In addition, she currently serves on the board of directors of the Texas Fraternal Congress.

Dianna has received a number of community citations and organizational awards for her fraternal efforts, but considers the greatest reward to be the friendship, fraternalism, service and security that come with being a UCT member.

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.