The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of November 12, 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 November 12, 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.
David Peak
Foresters
Sutter Branch
Sacramento, California
David Peak became a member of Foresters in 1996. Almost immediately, he became active in the branch as Auditor, Recording Secretary and in other positions. David served for many years as chair for the Sutter Branch Scholarship and blood donor programs. He chaired branch events, bowled in the Foresters Travel League and served as Santa Claus at branch children’s parties. In 2004, he was elected Branch President. In 2005, David was elected to the California North/Nevada North Regional Council as Secretary. David and his wife, Barbara, can be seen at Regional Council and Sutter Branch events helping out wherever they are needed. He spends many hours a month promoting Foresters activities, including helping to make fraternalism relevant to all members. He guided Court Sutter through the transition from Court to Branch and to new titles and committee chairs. He is very thorough in researching details and is an all around “wealth of information.”
In 2003, David received the Sierra Branch Fraternalist of the Year award from the California Fraternal Congress. The following year, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the California Fraternal Congress, and in October 2007, he was installed as First Vice President.
David, an active member of Toastmasters, is also involved in his Community Garden and frequently house sits for friends. He supports walks and fundraising campaigns for various causes, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
David is a Financial Analyst for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). At CDF, he chairs a committee that collects hundred of pounds of food that is distributed to the needy in his community.
Lois Aukland
Royal Neighbors of America
Chapter #2203
Humboldt, Iowa
Lois is the local secretary/treasurer and has held the office of recorder for 13 years, taking the office within six months of joining Royal Neighbors. She participated in the District Convention at Webster City in 2006, and has been the District Convention Recorder whenever her local chapter held the convention. She always offers rides and encourages others to attend District Conventions. She is very supportive of District Conventions in Mapleton and Sioux City. She is the leader of the memorial services, keeping the parts and the music used, and obtaining the flowers and vases used in the service. She has recruited the most members to the society. Since she joined, the active members have jumped from 5 to about 20.
Lois served on the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center planning committee for their annual fundraising carnival. She was in charge of getting local organizations to sponsor games. She also collected money from local merchants and private citizens to fund carnival expenses. She encouraged her chapter to handle two games and was in charge of scheduling workers for them. Her four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter helped in set up and worked the day of the carnival.
Lois is vice president of the Dakota City Worth While Club. She made pies to raise money for the Dakota City Days, the 150-year celebration to take place in 2008. She also served on the nominating committee and helped assemble the cookbook the Club is publishing as a fundraiser. Half of this money will go to the 150th celebration and the other half will go to the restoration of the city park.
Lois led the Girl Scouts in making and distributing cookies to the elderly for JOIN HANDS DAY. She also was in charge of the card party and collecting food for the local food pantry for Make A Difference Day.
She was on a team for the local Relay for Life Cancer fundraiser, and inflated 100 balloons for the cancer survivors to release during the event. She encouraged many survivors and others to walk miles for the relay.
Lois was named Rookie of The Year by Humboldt Ox Bow Chapter of Izaak Walton League of America. She received a diamond bracelet from the President of Chapter #2203 Humboldt RNA as most valuable member. She also serves as its treasurer. She has been the spark that inspired her local chapter to receive the Camp Recognition Award every year since its inception. She always has come up with successful fundraising ideas, enabling the local chapter to raise the maximum amount for the matching-fund event every year.
Mary Lou Derr
Catholic Ladies of Columbia
Council #86
Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Mary Lou Derr served on the Catholic Ladies of Columbia Board of Directors from 1994 to 2001, working on the charity and matching funds committees. For her home council she has been financial secretary for 10 years, vice president once and president three times, including 2006. During this time, she was instrumental in planning JOIN HANDS DAY and Make A Difference Day activities.
Mary Lou has volunteered as a cook for the priests at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, a Franciscan Friary, for five years. She helps the friars with many of their special projects. She also has made gardening space available for them on her farm and assists them with the watering, weeding and harvesting, canning and freezing of the vegetables for the priests’ kitchen.
Mary Lou was the organist for St. Joseph Catholic Church for 35 years, the final ten as a volunteer. She helps with the decoration of the church for holy days and has designed and quilted banners for Easter and Christmas. She has held all offices of the St. Joseph Rosary Altar Society and assisted in the society’s fundraising efforts, retreat planning and rosary presentation to graduating seniors.
Mary Lou also has been involved with the St. Peter School fundraising, Riverdale School Future Farmers of America (FFA), Wharton Busy Bees 4-H Club and Piecemakers Quilt Club.
Bennie C. Snoga
Catholic Life Insurance
Pecan Valley Branch #202
San Antonio, Texas
As Secretary-Treasurer of the Pecan Valley Branch, Bennie and his fellow officers are a great asset to Holy Name Catholic Church. In recent years under Bennie’s leadership, branch members have worked side-by-side with parish youth to create new flower beds, refurbish existing flower beds and add trees and plant material throughout the parish grounds. Last year, they helped create a memorial garden for John Paul II.
Of Polish ancestry, Bennie has been a longtime benefactor to the Seraphic Sisters, a group of nuns who come from Poland to minister to those of Polish descent in the area. Through the years, he has helped raise funds enabling them to build a convent and chapel.
Additionally, Bennie is a member of the Holy Name Men’s Club, is a supporter of St. Gerard’s Catholic High School, and has worked with the Boy Scouts. Before retiring as a Catholic Life agent, he earned the Twelve Apostle Award 22 times.
Bennie and his wife, Pat, work together on most projects.
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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