The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"

Fraternal MVPs-Week of May 22, 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 22, 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.

Ann Boenisch
Catholic Life Insurance
Southeast Houston Branch #150
Pasadena, Texas
For an individual who doesn’t like to call attention to herself, Ann Boenisch knows how to get things done. As President of the Bay Area Better Breathers Club at the Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, Ann has organized monthly meetings for a membership that has grown to more than 600. She’s led book fairs and bake sales, and organized teams for the American Lung Association Rally and the American Heart Association Heart Walk. As a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court #1713, Ann has helped collect enough greeting cards and Campbell’s soup labels for the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children (a non-profit home for abused, abandoned and neglected children of all races and faiths) to buy a specially-equipped van.

Her dedication to Catholic Life Insurance is unsurpassed. A member of the Southeast Houston Branch #150, Ann has served as an officer, sales representative, convention delegate and chair of the Bylaws Committee. She’s also organized several JOIN HANDS DAY projects and coordinated the Houston region’s participation in a Habitat for Humanity build.

Robert Fjerstad
Catholic Aid Association
Council #381 Holy Family
McGregor, Minnesota
Fjerstad is active in his Catholic Aid Association Council, his church and his community. He is the current president of the Holy Family Parish Council, and the Catholic Aid Association Holy Family Council in McGregor, MN. He also is a member of the board of directors for the Lions Club in McGregor. In the Lions Club, he is in charge of public relations and their hearing-aid program, which donates hearing aids to low-income members of the community who could not otherwise afford to correct their hearing. Fjerstad also works very hard as the point person from Holy Family in long-term fundraising for the Diocese of Duluth, MN. He is particularly involved in the Priests’ Retirement Fund and the Bishop’s Evangelization through Education program. On a smaller scale, Fjerstad, along with his Catholic Aid Council, pays for the gas for a member of their parish to drive to Duluth every month for study in the Permanent Deacon Program.

In his community, Fjerstad is equally devoted. Every year he emcees the Labor Day parade in McGregor. It’s a very busy weekend for him, as the Lions Club, Holy Family Parish and his Catholic Aid Association Holy Family Council all have events during the weekend. That weekend, Fjerstad can be found announcing the parade, assisting with the Lions Club raffle, and helping with the parish’s silent auction and bake sale. He was the main contact for the Catholic Aid Holy Family Council’s JOIN HANDS DAY project, which included cleaning up a stretch of highway with the local cub scouts. He regularly assists with his council’s Adopt-a-Highway program and, until recently, he and his wife were the adoptive parents of their own two-mile stretch of road.

Constance (Connie) Bonin
Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA)
Lodge #204
Calumet City, Illinois
Connie has been the Secretary/Treasurer of the Indiana Fraternal Congress for the past 11 years. This involvement has offered her the opportunity to participate in many volunteer programs including: Habitat for Humanity, JOIN HANDS DAY and the IFC President’s yearly cause projects. Connie retired at an early age, which gave her the time to devote many hours a week to volunteering at her city’s food pantry.

Even though Connie spends many hours at the food pantry, she also finds time to participate in Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA) sporting events. She has co-chaired basketball, softball and golf tournaments and a yearly ski trip for young adults, all of which are sponsored by the PRCUA. She also served as a PRCUA National Director of District #9 for 12 years.

Mark Albin
Polish Falcons of America
Nest #564
La Porte, Indiana
Mark has been very involved in Falcon activity, attending national and district zlots (competitions), bowling tournaments, volleyball tournaments, camp and track meets. He began his involvement as a small boy and continues to this day. Mark competed in the 68th Annual National Adult Bowling Tournament held in Downers Grove, Illinois, and also will attend an instructors’ meeting to help plan next year’s National Zlot. As an adult, Mark has been the chairperson for several events, both for adults and juniors. This October, he is the chairperson for the National Adult Volleyball Tournament.

As the District Instructor, Mark is in charge of the annual camp held by District VI. The campers range in ages from 5-17, both boys and girls. Activities include, but are not limited to, cooking, crafts, swimming, Polish-language classes, Falcon drills and protocol, as well as a wide range of sports, singing, dancing and skits. Mark’s leadership and involvement with the Falcon youth are very important to the Polish Falcons.

Margaret (Peggy) Fabri
Hungarian Reformed Federation
Branch #151
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Peggy has been very active with the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America (HRFA) for many decades. She has organized the Federation Picnics for Western Pennsylvania for many years. She has served on the Kossuth Committee, the Annual Golf Outing Committee, and helped with her branch Christmas parties, Hungarian Day at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, JOIN HANDS DAY projects, Operation Christmas Child, and HRFA’s “Appalachian project,” aiding the disadvantaged in the Appalachian region. Also, Peggy has been involved with planting flowers and placing flags for veterans and servicemen at the Grandview Cemetery in Beaver Falls as part of its Memorial Day Celebration, raising funds for Branch #151 members in need, and sponsoring a young man through Bible College through several fund raisers.

Most recently, on May 21, 2006, Peggy helped with a fundraiser for “Angels ‘R’ Us,” a non-profit organization in Beaver County founded for the families of local children, under the age of 18, who are diagnosed with cancer. The event was an afternoon of fashion, food and fun for women and girls of all ages, which raised money to help these children and their families with their financial burdens.

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.