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 20, 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.

Jacob Rezac
Modern Woodmen of America
Youth Club #8293-1
Emmett, Kansas
Jacob Rezac was named Modern Woodmen of America’s Outstanding Youth Volunteer for 2006. Jacob, who is 16, is a member of the Emmett Modern Woodmen Youth Service Club, led by his grandmother, Joan Rezac. The Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award Program recognizes Modern Woodmen club members who volunteer and show exemplary leadership skills.

Jacob was honored for his more than 2,000 hours of volunteer service. This includes time spent:

• collecting food for the food pantry
• planting trees
• participating in community fundraisers
• delivering Christmas boxes to the elderly
• tutoring school peers
• helping neighbors with farm chores
• assisting the local volunteer fire department

Jacob also was honored during the convention’s Youth Leadership Conference. Gunnery Sergeant William F. Campbell, U.S. Marine Corps, presented Jacob with a U.S. flag that was flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2006, in honor of patriotic and community services performed by Modern Woodmen of America members.

Janice Marie Kaluza
SPJST
Lodge #54
West, Texas
Janice is very active in her community and does many volunteer hours for several organizations. She volunteers weekly for the West Ambulance Association in providing emergency care assistance to the sick and elderly in the community and surrounding area. For the past 29 years she has worked with fundraisers to benefit the West Ambulance Association and serves as reporter for the West EMS Ladies Auxiliary. Annually, she volunteers her services in the first aid booth at the Westfest. Funds from this event are distributed to various non-profit organizations in the community.

Janice is very active in her church and serves as a Eucharistic Minister, Vocation Contact Person for the parish, and helps to teach and facilitate the adults in her church for a six-month period every Monday evening in the instruction of religious education classes for their parish. She leads one-hour devotion of prayer in her church on Wednesday evenings for the sick and suffering and all in need of prayers. She recently played an angel and distributed candy canes to students in the school on the feast of St. Nicholas. Janice assists in the food basket distribution on Thanksgiving and by gathering names of individuals in the community who are in need of a Thanksgiving treat for the holidays. She and her family provide transportation for elderly people so that they may attend mass on Sundays. Before Christmas, the Knights of Columbus go caroling and she makes sure they go by the homes of the shut-ins. On a regular basis, she visits the West Rest Haven to spend time with some of the residents from the area.

Janice has been a member of SPJST for 32 years. She spent many hours putting together all that is necessary for putting on a 100-year celebration, gathering commemoratives, putting together a book for the history of the lodge, entertainment and lining up of cooks for the home cooked Czech meal, which was served to all in attendance. The local lodge has numerous functions each year in the lodge hall, where Janice volunteers in many capacities ranging from preparations, bar tendering, assisting in the kitchen and clean up after the function. Janice attends all lodge meeting to keep informed of all activities. She also serves as a sales representative for her lodge where she has worked diligently to bring new members into the organization.

Janice played an important role in getting a youth club started in her lodge. Through meetings with several leaders and the Supreme Lodge President, this difficult task was accomplished. She mobilized the youth of the lodge to work together with the adults in order to make the lodge more active and involved in the community. Not only has Janice worked with the youth in the lodge, but also with the youth of her church family in order to strengthen them in their faith and in the building of a firm foundation as they journey through the difficulties of life.

Joan Yanosick
Slovak Catholic Sokol
Group #14/Wreath #22
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
For more than 30 years, Joan Yanosick has dedicated a great deal of her time and effort to the Slovak Catholic Sokol. Over the years she has been a Wreath Officer in various capacities and has devoted many hours volunteering for fundraisers, programs, picnics, JOIN HANDS DAY and numerous other activities within the local Group. One of Joan’s major local contributions has been in running the Children’s Annual Christmas Party. More than 200 children attend this event each year, and “Aunt Joanie” never lets them down. She spends time throughout the year raising monies and then shopping for, wrapping and storing a gift for each child. Her efforts for this event do not stop there, as she assembles the entertainment and food to round out the event.

Joan has her eyes on the future of the Slovak Catholic Sokol and all fraternals. She demonstrates a love for the youth and insightfully says “you must always be open to the views of the young people … because they are the future of our organization.” Joan currently serves as Wreath #22 Secretary and edits/publishes a newsletter highlighting member events and outreach opportunities.

Outside of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, “Aunt Joanie” is known for caring for family members and neighbors in need. Her gift of caring for the sick is a calling that she does not advertise because she feels that “you do it for God, and not for recognition.” Joan also has served her parish of St. Matthew as a lector for more than 40 years.