The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of May 7, 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 May 7, 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.
Florence Romelczyk
Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum
Versatility Council #2501
Bayonne, New Jersey
Florence is an active member of Versatility Council #2501, and has been instrumental in organizing and participating in various activities. She heads the Community Welfare Committee, which is responsible for our community awareness and action program. She is a member of the Orator’s Committee of Versatility Council and has been responsible for arranging fraternal and social programs at the monthly meetings. From guest speakers, travel and hobby presentations, trivia challenges and “looks back in history” to hosting “what-not shops” as a fundraiser for charitable causes, Florence’s energetic personality and dedication to always making the time to help others, has greatly prompted other members' involvement.
Florence maintains and operates the local parish food pantry, volunteering each week in securing donations and shopping for essentials. She also chairs the “Friends Meeting New Friends” Committee, which provides financial support, social activities and gifts for the Felician School for Exceptional Children, a school for emotionally disturbed, autistic, physically handicapped and mentally challenged children in Lodi, New Jersey.
Florence recently started the RUFF Program (Recycling Uniforms for Friends) in which outgrown elementary-school uniforms are laundered and mended by volunteer seamstresses, and resold at reduced rates to financially burdened families. All monies raised are used to purchase library materials for local schools.
At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Florence serves as a parish steward, lector, usher and is a member of the Alter Society, Rosary Society and secretary of the Mt. Carmel Seniors. She is past president of and has chaired several fundraisers for the Bayonne chapter of DEBORAH, a volunteer organization of Deborah Hospital of New Jersey, a heart and lung medical center that turns no patient away due to an inability to pay. She also is treasurer for the Polish American Citizens’ Club and serves as secretary for the Bayonne General Casimir Pulaski Committee.
Florence is retired from Western Electric of Kearny, New Jersey, and the OLMC Rectory. She and her husband, Walter, have four children and six grandchildren.
In serving her fraternal benefit society, her community, her nation and people worldwide, Florence continues to be an inspiring member and mentor.
Thomas J. “T.J.” Sbrusch
Catholic Life Insurance
Brazosport Branch #121
Angleton, Texas
When you live along the Texas coast, you take hurricane season seriously. After narrowly escaping the wrath of Hurricane Rita last year, the pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Angleton decided that their parish needed to be prepared for the next storm. He turned to T.J. Sbrusch, a retired parishioner, head usher and Secretary-Treasurer of the local Catholic Life branch, for help.
During 2006 alone, T.J. worked on 12 different projects to help the church. For the storm project, T.J. was one of 20 volunteers who cut plywood to fit the windows in the church, main office and classrooms. After cutting and fitting the plywood, the volunteers labeled the pieces, and put it into storage until the next storm.
T.J. also helped removed confessionals from the former church building that is now used as the church hall, so they would have room to store tables and chairs. With eight volunteers, T.J. removed the inner walls, moved door locations, installed double doors and paneled walls. T.J.’s group of volunteers also poured a concrete slab and built a fence around the church dumpster to meet a city ordinance.
His wife, Linda, is a big supporter of everything that T.J. does.
Bea Heinzel
Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas (KJZT)
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Society #2
Hallettsville, Texas
Bea serves as President of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Society #2. She has been a member of the Catholic Family Fraternal for a total of 60 years and has held the additional offices of Vice President and Clerical Endowment Chairman. Her hard work and devotion to completing different projects and fundraisers has become a significant asset to the society.
Bea has set the bar high when it comes to giving her time back to the community. She is the Financial Secretary of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and has held an office ever since becoming a member 49 years ago. She is on the Cheer Committee for the Catholic Christian Mothers, Conductress of Ladies Veteran of Foreign Wars, a member of the Ladies Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department and an officer in Lavaca Co. Czech Heritage Society. She belongs to the Sacred Heart Quilting Circle, which meets once a week to quilt. All the quilts are donated to the auction at the Sacred Heart picnics.
Bea is no stranger to giving a helping hand. She has Bible Study and serves as a Eucharistic Minister, taking Communion to the homebound, hospitals and nursing homes. She transports people who are unable to drive to church, the grocery store or any other destination of their choice. Bea also serves on the Bereavement Committee for funeral meals. Her ambition to give back has made a significant impact within the community.
Dorothy VandeWettering
Catholic Knights
Branch #103
Hollandtown, Wisconsin
Dorothy is known for her relentless energy and commitment to service. In 2005, Dorothy led her branch in organizing eight fundraising projects to assist a variety of organizations, including a country store, a pancake breakfast and a craft show to benefit her parish. She helped organize a Little League tournament to benefit the Hollandtown Athletic Association and a community golf outing that benefited several charities. Dorothy also organized members to assist a tree sale benefiting the local fire department. Members helped set up and sell 216 trees.
Dorothy’s strong belief in fraternalism inspired her to introduce 78 new families to her branch, earning her the title of top branch recruiter in 2005.
Dorothy’s community involvement includes serving as a speech and photography project leader with the county 4-H program. Dorothy serves her parish as a lector, Eucharistic Minister and as chair of funeral dinners. She has chaired the social committee and served on most parish fundraising events. Dorothy also serves hot lunch at the Catholic elementary school.
Dorothy enjoys working on the fourth-generation, VandeWettering-family farm with her husband of 46 years, her five children and their nine grandchildren.
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.
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