The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of September 3, 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 September 3, 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.
Eugene G. Even
Catholic Order of Foresters
St. Mary Court #1099
Gilbertsville, Iowa
Eugene focuses his energy on supporting Catholic Order of Foresters, scouting, his community and parish. He held his first St. Mary Court #1099 office in 1979 as youth director. Since then, he has served as chief ranger, Waterloo District Youth Director, and, at the state level, youth director and now vice chief ranger. As a state officer, Eugene directed several state basketball, golf and bowling tournaments and co-chaired the national softball tournament. He represents Catholic Order of Foresters on the Iowa Fraternal Congress. At the local level, Eugene co-chaired St. Mary Court’s matching-funds event that raises money for area Catholic schools.
For the last 20 years, Eugene has devoted countless hours to scouting, serving as a Cub Scout den leader, Cubmaster and currently Scoutmaster. He spearheaded community activities including annual food drives and highway cleanups, and volunteered at pancake breakfasts that raised money to send boys, who could not otherwise afford it, to summer camp. The scouts teamed with Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus members to landscape two parish cemeteries. Eugene serves on the Boy Scouts of America District Board and Catholic Committee, and took 180 youth from his council to the 2006 National Jamboree.
Eugene serves on St. Mary’s school board, and during the past 24 years, has volunteered at numerous school athletic events, plays and fundraisers. He assists with school maintenance, including cementing the parking lot, tearing up the old gym floor, painting and installing new wiring. During the recent church remodel, Eugene helped remove pews for refinishing.
A John Deere employee, Eugene also farms near Gilbertville. He and his wife, Paula, have five children.
Val June Schafer
Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Center Township Arbor #11
South Bend/Lakeville, Indiana
Val June Schafer has thrown herself headlong into community service, making selfless contributions of her time and money. She became a member of Gleaners in 2003 and since then has been involved in many Arbor activities, including nursing home bingo, beautification of the Wakarusa Museum and JOIN HANDS DAY.
Val June works 40 hours a week at Lowes but still volunteers approximately 250 hours a month. Her 81 years have not slowed her down. She is involved with 10 community organizations, including Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Avalon Grotto Auxiliary, the Madison Township Homemakers Club, Lakeville Lions Club and the St. Joseph County Farm Bureau. She holds an officer position in three of those organizations.
Val June attends Maple Grove United Methodist Church where she participates in the choir, volunteers to clean, beautify the grounds and works with the children. She rings for the Salvation Army, prepares and delivers food baskets for the needy, works on the community Halloween Party, sells poppies and participates in Relay for Life.
However, her heart belongs to 4-H. She has been a 4-H leader for 43 years but is still able to span the generations and set a positive example for youth. She has purchased animals from the livestock auction, particularly those having a hard time being sold. Upon the death of her husband in 1998, Val June stepped up and took over his position as a fair board director. She has purchased bricks for the scholarship foundation and donated a large outdoor clock and flowers which she plants to beautify the grounds. She was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame for Leadership and Volunteerism with the St. Joseph County 4-H program in 2007.
Her friends say it is impossible to know the exact number of lives Val June has touched in the years she has been involved with the organization.
Leroy Maldonado
Knights of Columbus
Council #1332
Raton, New Mexico
In Raton, New Mexico, he is well-known. Most children know him as the guy who does the back-to-school picnic. He is known in his church and community for his selfless deeds and kind treatment of others. He is known as a Knight of Columbus. All these traits describe only one man in Raton—Leroy Maldonado. Leroy has been a Knight for 16 years, and throughout that time, has done so much for the community, parish and council which he calls home.
Leroy has served many roles in Knights of Columbus Council #1332, including membership director, serving on the degree team, and as a member of the recruitment and retention committees. In addition to being an officer, Leroy regularly attends all council meetings and special events. Leroy also can be seen helping in some way, whether it’s adding air to bike tires during the St. Jude Bike-A-Thon, helping with the free-throw contest, delivering Thanksgiving baskets or marching in the color corps. Leroy always is involved in the council in some way or another, but he doesn’t stop there. Leroy is a big contributor to the community as well.
Leroy does a lot to benefit those around him. He picks up and delivers and hospital equipment to help those in need. He usually is present at other community events like the retiring of the flag ceremony and the Jingle Bell Run, both of which he participates in annually. He also visits and assists elderly members and brings them necessities like firewood in the winter. Leroy also is the first person you will see outside in a snowstorm. He always gets out early, so that he can shovel out the driveways and walkways of elderly, disabled and ailing members of Raton’s community.
On top of all the service projects and volunteering that Leroy does, he also is a faithful Catholic and family man. Leroy hosts many of the family social events and parties in Raton. He also keeps busy as an advisor for the Columbian Squires (the youth division of the Knights of Columbus) and the Boy Scouts, and the back-to-school picnic in which he cooks for all the students. Leroy and his wife, Linda, are both very active in their church as well. He is a member of the memorial committee, participates in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and supports all charitable events and endeavors of the Church.
Ask almost any member of his parish or in his community in Raton, and they will be able to tell you something about Leroy Maldonado. No matter who you ask, however, you will always hear about how great a man he is and how he is constantly “giving back” to all those around him.
Joseph S. Baskovic
KSKJ Life, American Slovenian Catholic Union
St. Vitus Lodge #25
Willoughby Hills, Ohio
Born in 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, Joseph Baskovic has credentials a mile long. Joe has enthusiastically volunteered in his community, church, parish school and KSKJ Life. Joe also served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
Joe has served as President of KSKJ St. Vitus Lodge #25 for 31 years, auditor for 12 years and currently is serving as Vice-President. He served on the KSKJ Life National Board of Directors as Vice President for 19 years and the Ohio Federation of KSKJ Lodges for 19 years. In 1994, he was nominated for the NFCA “Fraternalist of the Year Award,“ and in 1996, was inducted to the St. Vitus Parish, Alumni Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Joe received his degree in business administration in 1950 from Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) with an emphasis on accounting and auditing functions. His expertise in this field led him to various accounting positions over the years, including 26 years with the U.S. Department of Defense as a Contract Price Analyst. Joe was appointed to the Cuyahoga County Regional Board of Catholic Education, serves his church as a Eucharistic Minister, for decades has prepared financial records for the parish and diocese, St. Vitus School Finance Committee, St. Vitus Parish Finance Council and in a advisory capacity for the Joseph and Antonia Mihevc Scholarship Fund administered through St. Vitus Church. Joe is still currently serving on the St. Vitus Parish Finance Council. He also has been a member of the St. Vitus Catholic War Veterans Post #1655 for well over 50 years, having served in various capacities as an officer, including treasurer.
As quoted by one of his fellow lodge members, “Joe’s pleasant personality is the drawing force, which entices the local lodge members to function cohesively and smoothly.”
And if you ask Joe about all his accomplishments, he’ll tell you there are four loves of his life: love of the Catholic faith and local parish; love of his Slovenian heritage; love of people; and, very important, love to his wife and partner for 54 years, Josephine “Pep,” who passed away in 2005. Joe would be the first to state that without the love and support of Pep, nothing would have been accomplished, and with that love and support all was completed.
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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