THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

NFCA honors "Fraternalists in Action" for volunteerism

OAK BROOK, Ill. - The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized five Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) in Washington, on June 20-21. These fraternalists, honored for their outstanding fraternal service, met with Members of Congress representing their home states and congressional districts.

Fraternal MVPs are "Fraternalists in Action" who volunteer their time and energy to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.

The Fraternal MVPs of May were:

• Gerald J. Collins, Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, Woodmen of the World Lodge 308, Houma, La.;
  
  
• Coral Grout, Catholic Family Life Insurance, Pelletier Chapter MA-84, Gardner, Mass.;
  
  
• Rose Marie Ruth, National Catholic Society of Foresters, St. Anne's Court 1161, Iowa City, Iowa;
  
  
• Mark Albin, Polish Falcons of America, Nest No. 564, La Porte, Ind.; and
  
  
• Margaret (Peggy) Fabri, Hungarian Reformed Federation, Branch No. 151, Beaver Falls, Pa.

The following legislators met with the honorees: Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Rep. Chris Chocola (R-Ind.), Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), Rep. Melissa Hart (R-Pa.), and Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.).

The purpose of the "Fraternalists in Action" program is to recognize and honor individual fraternalists from around the country, while creating fraternal awareness in Congress, as well as reminding Members of Congress that fraternal benefit societies and the volunteer efforts of their members contribute in countless ways to their states and congressional districts.

Implicit in this message is the reality that if the federal tax-exemption were taken away, these good works would be greatly diminished or eliminated altogether. In fact, any revenue gained by taxing fraternals is seriously outweighed by what fraternals put back into society.

"Fraternals have a great story to tell, and no one can tell it better than these individuals who devote their time to making their communities a better place by helping their neighbors and friends," said NFCA Chair of the Board Michael J. Wade. "The five Fraternal MVPs who traveled to Washington were excellent good-will ambassadors for the fraternal benefit system and, through their stories, demonstrated to members of Congress the good works performed by fraternalists."

While most of the Congressional visits were brief, in all cases the members of Congress were very interested in learning what fraternals are accomplishing in their states and districts and expressed support for fraternal contributions to local communities. In addition, the honorees raised the tax-exemption issue and urged their elected representatives to help preserve the exemption.

"The NFCA would like to congratulate and thank all who were involved in making this happen," said NFCA President and CEO Frederick H. Grubbe. "In particular, I want to express our gratitude to the five Fraternal MVPs who represented well their societies, their states and the fraternal benefit system."

Fraternal MVPs are part of the NFCA's Fraternalists-in-Action program, which recognizes individuals whose unique stories best represent 21st century fraternalism. These fraternalists demonstrate exceptional compassion and fraternal pride through their volunteer activities.

The 120-year-old NFCA unites 76 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. It represents 10 million people in 36,000 local chapters, making it one of the largest member networks in the U.S.

For more information, visit the NFCA website, www.nfcanet.org.

Father's Day celebrated at Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - In keeping with the Ukrainian National Association's tradition, Father's Day was celebrated at Soyuzivka with a luncheon and entertainment program that was attended by many families from near and far. Seen above is a group of guests who came to Soyuzivka on Father's Day. Among them (first on the left) is Taras Myshchuk, a credit union employee from Rochester, N.Y., who won a free weekend at Soyuzivka in a UNA drawing held at the estate.

Young UNA'ers

• Roxolana Nadia Bilyk, daughter of Petrusia Howansky-Bilyk and Andre Bilyk of Phoenix, Ariz., is a new member of UNA Branch 16. She was enrolled by her grandparents Peter and Nadia Howansky.
  
  
• Elias A. Matiash, son of Nicholas and Jodi Matiash of Oshkosh, Wis., is a new member of UNA Branch 120. He was enrolled by his great-grandmother Ann Matiash.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 23, 2006, No. 30, Vol. LXXIV

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