The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of October 8, 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 8, 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.
 Thomas Larry Shugart
Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas
Lodge #120-2
Austin, Texas
Larry Shugart combined his love of bowling and his passion for helping others when planning his lodge’s JOIN HANDS DAY project. He came up with the idea of a bowl-a-thon to benefit Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, a new addition to the Children’s Miracle Network. Larry met with people from four bowling centers and arranged for their Saturday morning youth leagues to participate. He also coordinated with staff at the hospital. In all, $1,624 was raised and the bowl-a-thon will become an annual event.
Larry also has organized the lodge’s annual Bowl for the Cure, starting three years ago when he contributed the first grand prize of a television. His health no longer allows him to participate, but he is the master raffle ticket seller, selling 500 tickets before the event and organizing sellers for the day of the event.
Larry coordinates the lodge’s Flag Day ceremonies. He has participated in a chili cook-off to raise scholarship money, and cooks for spaghetti dinners, family day and the October cookout. He also mans the bar when the Austin Lodge Hall is rented out for private parties.
Larry serves as vice president of the Greater Austin Bowling Association and coaches youth bowlers. He is helping organize the Bowling for Veterans League, which raises money for the Veterans Hospital.
A 20-year Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, Larry and his wife, Mary, have five children and 12 grandchildren.
 Beverly Christman
Royal Neighbors of America
Chapter #1440
Portland, Oregon
Beverly Christman is president of Chapter #1440, in charge of program planning, and has overseen projects like collecting teddy bears for the hospice and food and clothing for the Union Gospel Mission.
On her own, Beverly tapes recordings for the blind and makes handmade cards for children suffering from serious illnesses via “Cards for Kids.” She started two rose gardens in honor of the veterans in nursing homes. For the past five years, she has given hero packs to the Portland Ronald McDonald House for the families of terminally ill children.
She also makes blankets for Project Linus of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center in Parker, CO. She regularly visits five nursing homes and spends her evenings crocheting caps and afghans for women in need at the Portland Rescue Mission. Her spirit of giving also reaches overseas as she sends care packages to the women and men who are serving our country, and donates toys and dolls to be sent to deserving children all over the world.
 Joseph V. Gebura
Slovak Catholic Sokol
Wreath #153
Parma, Ohio
Joseph “Joe” Gebura has been an active member of Slovak Catholic Sokol since his boyhood days, when he participated in Sokol-sponsored athletic and sporting events. He has served as president of his lodge for many years, representing his lodge at national conventions for 45 years and has been secretary of the Sokol-Jednota Bowling League for 20 years.
Joe is an active member of St. Bartholomew’s R.C. parish in Middleburg Heights, where he demonstrates exceptional compassion and vision through his volunteering activities as a lector, Eucharistic minister and Parish Council Chairperson. There is hardly a project in the parish that does not have Joe’s complete support and enthusiasm. He also finds time to assist as a minister to shut-ins at St. Wendelins Slovak Parish, his boyhood “home” parish in Cleveland.
A long-time community activist, Joe serves as a volunteer for the Middleburg Heights July Home Days weekend. He is past president of the AARP Chapter, is chair of its annual fundraiser and was the 2007 AARP “Person of the Year.”
 Robert Kucirek
Catholic Order of Foresters
St. Mary Court #498
Wausau, Wisconsin
Though active as a youth member, Robert Kucirek had not attended a local court meeting for several years when, 41 years ago, his grandfather informed him of his election as St. Mary Court #498 recording secretary. Surprised and, he admits, slightly upset at the time, Bob now looks back on that as a turning point in his life. “It was my calling to get involved in Catholic Order of Foresters.”
Since that day, Bob has not missed a St. Mary #498 meeting. He has dedicated countless hours supporting Catholic Order of Foresters’ (COF) fraternal and charitable missions, while attending functions and holding offices at the local, district, state and national levels.
Bob chairs his court’s matching-funds events, edits the member newsletter and serves as Wisconsin State Bowling Association director. A Wisconsin state and COF national convention delegate since 1968, he chairs the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. Through his Wisconsin Fraternal Congress affiliation, Bob has worked on several Habitat for Humanity homebuilding projects. He is a Wausau Area Jaycees member and past first vice president and volunteers at his parish, St. Michael.
Bob retired as Wausau Insurance Companies’ director of property products. He and his wife, Angie, the St. Mary #498 chief ranger, reside in Wausau and keep a hectic schedule supporting fraternal, civic and charitable organizations.
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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