The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of November 5, 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 5, 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.
 Frank Wienczkowski
Polish Falcons of America
Nest #123
Erie, Pennsylvania
Frank Wienczkowski of Nest #123, Erie, Pa., has been selected as this year’s Polish Falcons of America Fraternalist of the Year. Perhaps no one can describe Frank’s contributions to the Falcons and to his community better than his daughter Rebecca Sienkiewicz, who said, “He has dedicated long hours of volunteer time in his life to help those in need, to help our Nest and has served on many committees to forward the interests of the Falcon order.” And for the past year, Frank’s efforts to preserve Nest #123 were much needed.
As the nest’s Male Vice President, a title he has held for more than 10 years, Frank and Nest #123’s then-Female Vice President Rosemarie Varhola worked together, along with the rest of the nest members, to deal with the sudden passing of President Robert Szoszorek on October 25, 2006. In addition to helping with the internal challenges Nest #123 faced this past year, Frank chaired the successful effort to replace the nest’s deteriorating roof and helped keep the club going strong.
Frank has been involved with a wide variety of nest-related committees, including casino night, children’s Christmas and Easter parties, Thursday-night bingo events and the annual Super Bowl party. He is the nest’s Small Games Manager and serves on the committee that coordinates the nest’s annual summertime family picnic at Waldameer Park.
Frank also is on the District IX Bowling Committee and is known for his participation in district and national bowling and golf tournaments. He has been a District IX Auditor since 2004. He also has played an instrumental role in the success of Nest #123’s youth programs. Ever since he helped start up the nest’s junior bowling league back in 1977, Frank has regularly attended these outings every Saturday morning. He also helps organize District IX’s annual youth bowling tournament. Frank has helped three junior bowlers develop their skills to the point where they recently earned scholarships from a youth tournament sponsored by the Greater Erie Region. He also volunteers and is a patron for local Erie youth hockey and golf programs.
In his community, Frank is a member of the local St. Stanislaus Parish Day Committee, the church’s Sports Boosters Club and the Holy Name Men’s Society. He also is a St. Luke’s Casino Night sponsor and an Erie Gymnastics youth supporter, along with being a Cub/Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet attendee and a member of the St. Martin’s Center Children’s Giving Tree Committee. He represented Nest #123 at the Holy Trinity Parish’s recent Zabawa Celebration, at the Miss Polonaise Ball Eastside Federation of Clubs and at the annual Shining Stars Luncheon that was held at St. Martin’s Center.
In the scarce free time away from his numerous volunteer activities, Frank enjoys camping with his family, which includes his wife of 53 years, Agnes, four daughters and six grandchildren, all of which are involved in some way with the Falcons, either through youth activities or nest projects.
 Patricia Karabin
The Travelers Protective Association of America
Post L
Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Pat Karabin is actively involved in supporting the community-service and safety programs promoted within the Lehigh Valley area by her post of the The Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA). She represented Post L at the Crime Watch Night in Coplay, Pa., in a booth handing out bike reflectors, Children Have An iDentity (CHAD) stickers, DNA kits and other safety material to the more than 300 people in attendance. She also has done this at the annual Kidsfest. In addition, she has spent hours working with the Allentown Health Department and state police at Toys “R” Us stores to ensure that car seats are correctly installed.
She is a driving force behind the post’s annual Labor Day highway coffee break, obtaining donations of donuts and coffee, publicizing the event and working the booth during the event. She also works on the committees for the family picnics and Christmas parties.
Pat organized the Annual Altruism Award for students at local high schools, contacting counselors with information and student submission forms. She also handled the publicity, making sure the newspapers recognized the good works of the students.
Besides acting as secretary, membership and ritual chair for her post, Pat successfully enrolled 13 new members this year and headed a project that brought back 91 delinquent members. Her calls and personal contact for each meeting resulted in four to six more members at meetings.
On her own, Pat provides rides to the doctor, yard work and other assistance to members when needed. She supports the TPA Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near Deaf through donations and fundraisers. A local effort spearheaded by Pat raised funds to help the family of a ten-year-old pay for her hearing aids.
In her spare time, Pat is treasurer of the Northampton County Democratic Women’s Organization. As the winner of a fundraising event, she had lunch with Governor Edward G. Rendell in Philadelphia and took advantage of the opportunity to tell him about the great volunteer work of TPA and invited him to the Pennsylvania state convention. His assistant attended and presented her with a check for $5,000 in appreciation for the work done in child safety. The funds were divided among all the posts for furthering their volunteer work.
Pat is a member of the Happy Boombardears and plays her Boom-Ba with the group at nursing homes, churches, assisted living homes or wherever they are invited. The Boom-Ba is a stick with percussion instruments attached to it: a drum, a horn, sleigh bells, a cowbell and a cymbal.
 Donald Danneker
Catholic Order of Foresters
St. Matthew Court #367
St. Paul, Minnesota
Retirement only increased Don Danneker’s fraternal activities. As a volunteer in numerous organizations, he’s learned that “Each fraternal has different needs but the same main purpose – to assist one another and others so everyone prospers.”
Don joined Catholic Order of Foresters just four years ago and soon assumed a leadership role as St. Matthew Court #367 chief ranger, implementing quarterly meetings and creating a semi-annual member newsletter. Since he took office, the court has focused on supporting St. Matthew Parish, restoring parish center windows and currently planning a Matching Funds activity to support school needs. An annual “School Bowl,” bringing youth from three community parishes together, also is underway.
Five years ago, Don initiated an annual Knights of Columbus’ Knight for Life Dinner with all profits earmarked for Wakota Life Care Clinic’s Pro-Life Center. He also serves on the American Legion Baseball Program board.
A retired police officer, Don and his wife, Claudia, have three children and three grandchildren, and “In my spare time, I try to emulate Tiger Woods,” says Don.
 Angeline Gohman
The Catholic Aid Association
St. Anthony's Council #265
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Angie has been a great supporter of her local council, working on the annual newsletter, recording the volunteer hours of council members, filling in during the extended absence of the secretary-treasurer at monthly meetings and serving as a convention delegate. She also is responsible for organizing and serving refreshments at the council meetings and other special events. She volunteered to be responsible for receiving, inventorying and delivering donated baby items to Birthline.
She uses her sewing skills as a seamstress for the parish decorating committee, sewing alter cloths, banners and altering the benediction cope and humeral veil with new fabric, while retaining the original braid and embroidery. For the Paramount Arts District, St. Cloud, she has designed and constructed large colorful banners to decorate and absorb sound in the granite lobbies of the historic building.
Angie initiated and hosted the first Neighborhood Watch picnic in her neighborhood. She has worked on the Empty Bowls project, the Catholic Aid fish fry and bake sale and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Grade School Carnival.
Angie is a retired professional seamstress for Dayton’s and Macy’s stores. She currently is self-employed as a part-time seamstress, specializing in altering wedding dresses.
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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