The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of October 29, 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 October 29, 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.
 Loretta Minnaert
National Catholic Society of Foresters
Little Flower Court #751
Atkinson, Illinois
Loretta Minnaert has been the recording secretary of Little Flower Court #751 for many years and previously served as the financial secretary. She publishes notices of the meetings, orders the pins and rosaries for members with 25th and 50th anniversaries, helps to organize the annual banquet and arranges for transportation for outlying members. She photographs the events for the society magazine and communicates all upcoming events to the society’s fraternal director.
Loretta shares her time by visiting three nursing homes and the assisted living area of the hospital on a regular basis, bringing homemade treats and watching over fellow parishioners. She is a member of St. Anthony’s Parish Altar and Rosary Society where she has served as secretary. She sends sympathy cards and arranges for memorial masses. She also is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW and an active member of Women of the Moose. In addition, she served as secretary to the Atkinson Woman’s Organization and is chair of the Home Life Committee.
Loretta also shares her culinary talent, baking pies for the scholarship pie-sale fundraiser, supplying food for funeral meals and for breakfasts.
 Janice Cameron
Woman's Life Insurance Society
Lodge #C-703
Indianapolis, Indiana
Janice Cameron faithfully fulfills the duties of treasurer and budget officer for her Woman’s Life Insurance Society (WLIS) lodge, as well as serving as the state delegate who represents her lodge at all state, regional and national meetings. She assists with member development and briefs audiences on Woman’s Life’s national campaign: “Go Red for Women,” a program of the American Heart Association.
Outside of her society, Janice is a community-service volunteer with several organizations. She is the coordinator for Central Indianapolis Women’s Heart Support Network and the coordinator for the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease—a group for women who have had heart failures and are under treatment, and meet on a monthly basis to support each other. Janice also is on the board of directors for Women in Networking, an affiliate of the National Association for Female Executives. This organization’s purpose is community volunteerism and networking to bring people together to enrich them on topics dealing with women and families. Women In Networking is in partnership with WLIS Lodge #C-703 to better serve communities through personal involvement. Through fundraising from the local lodge and matching funds from WLIS, the chapter has benefited the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation, Julian Center for Battered Women, the Good New Ministries Homeless Shelter, the American Red Cross and the Ronald McDonald House. Janice also gets involved in a more personal way with these charities, serving meals for families at Ronald McDonald House and providing food for homeless veterans.
Janice creates and mans a booth explaining WLIS at the Indiana Public School Multicultural Festival. Janice also is a Deaconess Church board member and is the Vice Chairman Deaconess for her church. There she also mentors young adults who are aspiring for positions within the church. She is a Brendon Park Youth Council Adult Advisor and works with the Indiana Youth Institute Devington Teen Center, where she is also a Teen Business and Technology Advisor. She serves as a parent volunteer, literacy consultant (Department of Education) and PTA representative at the PTA Academy at Arlington High School.
 Forrest H. Shiver
Knights of Columbus
Council #12580
Lithia Springs, Georgia
Forrest Shiver has not been a member of the Knights of Columbus for a long time … only a little more than a year. In the short time he has been involved with Council #12580, however, he has made some big waves. Forrest came into the Knights with a positive and unselfish attitude and has done all he can to give back to his community and church. Forrest’s fervor has helped to renew not only his council, but also his church and community.
At 50-years-old, Forrest decided to become a member of the Knights of Columbus. He demonstrated the ideals and devotion of the Order and quickly rose through the degrees to become a 4th degree Knight (the highest degree in the Knights). He became membership director and through his efforts he revamped his council, increased membership and helped his council win the Star Council Award, one of the highest awards the Order gives. He has helped the council with fundraisers for a Jamaican missionary trip and autism research. He checks in on shut-ins and the elderly, volunteers at the local hospital and is involved with “camp ministries” and blood drives. Forrest also plays a major part in the drives for people with intellectual disabilities the council holds biannually.
Forrest’s life is centered on the church, and he is devoted to helping the pastor and parish in any way possible. Forrest is an usher and serves in an honor guard at church functions. What Forrest is best known for, however, is his expertise in the field of electrical systems and air conditioning. Forrest is physically handicapped and retired, but he still uses his talent to aid the church and community. Forrest and a fellow handicapped parishioner revamped, rewired and installed four new cooling coils and furnaces throughout the church. Forrest also plugged all air leaks in the ductwork and adjusted the supply and return ducts to equalize flow. He replaced the old system with 90% efficient 120,000 BTU furnaces and upgraded two of the outside 10-ton air conditioners. Forrest is only halfway done with this project, but he has already saved the church around $13,000 by purchasing all the materials and contributing all his labor.
Forrest has been married for 22 years and he and his wife have two daughters. He currently spends his time taking care of his wheelchair-bound mother, who lives with him. Forrest is part of a close-knit family that helped shape and form him into the caring and generous person that he is today. Forrest always puts others’ needs and desires before his own. He is a devoted Catholic, a loving son and father, and a great Knight.
 Mildred Lindemann
Catholic Life Insurance
Scotland Branch #36
Scotland, Texas
Mildred Lindemann is very much a “hands-on” fraternalist. A resident of the north Texas town of Scotland, Mildred makes a difference in her community nearly every day.
Mildred, whose Branch has participated in every JOIN HANDS DAY event since the day of service began in 2000, is the driving force behind the yearly effort that brings adults and youth together to work in the community. Under her supervision, teams of volunteers have painted the community tennis courts, refreshed ironwork in the cemetery, aided in with church clean-ups, and planted grass in front of the church in preparation for the centennial celebration.
A Catholic Life member since she was 14 years-old, Mildred serves St. Mary’s Church in neighboring Windthorst and St. Boniface Church in Scotland as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and a Communion Minister to the Sick. She’s helped with many bereavement dinners and also has been a grateful recipient when tragedy struck her family.
Each month, she helps distribute clothing to the needy at the Kristy Krahl Center and is a regular at bingo parties at the Archer City Nursing Home. For more than 20 years, she’s served as an election judge for area elections.
Her husband, Ray, who passed away recently, served as a Catholic Life Agent for nearly 40 years.
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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