The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of September 25, 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.

Julie Phillips
Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Rolling Prairie Arbor #557
Rolling Prairie, Indiana
Julie, the youngest of four children, comes from a Gleaner family. Her parents, June and the late Daniel Lenig, were active members. She is a member of Rolling Prairie Arbor and serves as Secretary/ Treasurer of the Indiana State Association of Gleaners. She has sung the National Anthem for Gleaner state picnics and Flag Day ceremonies.

Julie also is active in the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church where she has sung in the church choir since the age of 11. Now she serves as the choir director, working with her brother, Scott, the organist.

Julie has worked with many community events. She assists her mother, June, the 4-H Poultry Superintendent, with the 4-H poultry project planning and set-up. She also has led classes for the LaPorte County Mini 4-H program, and she prepares the LaPorte County Fair Association photo album for the annual state convention. The American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” is another important activity for Julie. She has participated in the relay for four years and now assists with planning for awards and activities.

Elizabeth E. Kreidler
Woman's Life Insurance Society
Club #59
Oakland, California
Betty has been fraternally active with Woman’s Life Insurance Society for most of her life. Her grandmother signed her up at the age of one, almost 80 years ago. She was an active junior member and continued her membership and involvement as an adult with Club #59 in Oakland, California. She is currently their treasurer. It is obvious by the number of activities she participates in, that she truly loves community involvement. Some of the recent projects she has worked on include fundraising events benefiting Children’s Hospital in Oakland and Sacramento, collecting toiletries for donation to shelters for homeless or abused women in several cities in the area, a “Go Red for Women” fundraising luncheon and their annual bingo party/fundraiser.

Betty has belonged to the Oakland Motorcycle Club for 30 years, and works for several charities through the women’s auxiliary. Betty’s volunteer activities also include greeting and directing the public on a World War II Liberty Ship, the Jeremiah O’Brien, and at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. She continues to take an active interest in projects benefiting her local schools and churches, collecting warm coats for less fortunate people and providing care for those who can’t do for themselves.

During World War II, Betty worked at Naval Air Station in Alameda. She left there to attend U.C. Berkley for two years, and then worked for Standard Oil and Signal Oil for 10 years. She married in 1947 and became a “stay-at-home mom” to three children who have all been Woman’s Life members from the time they were small.

J. Gregory Milanek
Slovak Catholic Sokol
Group #12/ Assembly #261
Reading, Pennsylvania
Greg has been a lifetime member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol—participating in numerous fraternal activities including, but not limited to, softball, bowling and golf tournaments, as well as Slets (track/field/calisthenics/gymnastics events). Greg became involved with the leadership within his Group/Assembly and then later served 20 years as a Supreme Officer in a variety of roles. Greg is currently an Honorary National Supreme Officer and continues to role model the values of the Slovak Catholic Sokol at all levels.

In addition to his service to the society, Greg has a history of volunteerism. He has served as lector for St. Ignatius Loyola parish and as coach, and later president, of the CYO program. Greg has been involved with the United Way program for his employer, as well as with Berks County for the past 14 years. He has been active with the Berks County Easter Seal program for 18 years and has been a past recipient of that organization’s “Volunteer of the Year” award. Greg has long been involved with the Special Olympics for Berks County for which he has volunteered for 14 years and has been a member of their Board of Directors for 12 years. Greg currently serves as the County Training Coordinator and event coordinator for school-age Special Olympic athletes.

Dolores Miller
Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA)
Post Q, Pennsylvania Division
Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Dolores was selected because of her untiring efforts on behalf of TPA, as an officer of the Association, and her volunteer work promoting various projects within the community.

Dolores was recognized by Post Q and the TPA for her work within the community through her organizational efforts. She chaired and organized a blood drive in conjunction with the Red Cross, organized a Halloween safety program that was presented in three elementary schools, organized a bike rodeo and inspection on “National Night Out,” working with the local police department where child identification and fingerprinting was provided. Dolores chaired the annual coffee break rest stop on I-81 dispensing coffee, soft drinks, donuts and cookies to travelers on holiday weekends. She also organized a charity festival fundraiser, and participated in “Friends Helping Friends.” She organized Post Q’s annual altruism award program for high-school students who demonstrated outstanding citizenship, leadership and scholastic accomplishments, with awards given to four students in her area. She was instrumental in getting a TPA float in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a TPA car in the Memorial Day Parade. She also organized the TPA Christmas tree Festival that ran from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.

Along with her efforts in organizing programs or chairing committees, Dolores also attends and works with other members at these events. She distributes DNA kits and CHAD (Children Have An iDentity) stickers for placement on children’s safety seats, which provide contact information in the event of an emergency. She also was a runner in the Olympic Torch Relay in 1996 and had the Torch on display at a local school awards program in October 2005.

Within her local post, Dolores serves as Second Vice President, and chair of the Community Service, Welfare and Ritual Committees. At the state level, she is a member of the board of directors.