Fraternity-Testvériség, 1994 (72. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994-10-01 / 4. szám
Page 8 TESTVÉRISÉG THE FRATERNAL BENEFIT SYSTEM T he fraternal benefit system is a distinctive, charitable force of nearly 200 individual nonprofit fraternal societies, ten million persons strong, including the HRFA membership. Truly cosmopolitan in nature, the system is active throughout North America, flourishing in small communities and large metropolitan areas. Each society confronts a unique opportunity to be responsive to the needs and desires of its members and the community at large. Rooted in the principle brotherhood, the fraternal movement offers unlimited potential for the future. In every sense fraternalism today -- and throughout its proud history (since 1872) — enables countless human hopes to be fulfilled. The spirit of fraternalism has steadily grown stronger. Today it touches millions of lives throughout the United States and Canada. Life styles may change, but basic human social and economic needs continue to be served by fraternalism’s far-reaching volunteer efforts. Fraternal benefit societies perform charitable, educational, patriotic and religious works. Societies guide human growth, protect human values, provide fellowship for members, and emphasize good citizenship. The financial security provided by fraternal insurance is a key component of all societies, but nonmaterial benefits are just as important. The programs of the individual branches are designed to unite members in bonds of brotherly love. Branch activities impress members with the responsibilities and rewards of service to each other and to the community. Fraternal service has touched lives far and wide for generations. At the 105th Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America, it was reported that member-societies local branch benevolent expenses were $69,778,698 and their activity expenses totaled $137,008,054. The reported data indicates that 726,267 local events were held. Members performed 10,994,187 acts of fraternal service and spent some 56,065,445 hours doing so. A general breakdown of the 1991 compilation of local lodges statistics follows: Charitable Contributions.................................................................. $ 19,698,539 Institutional........................................................................................... 14,979,085 Recreation and Health......................................................................... 22,345,174 Educational........................................................................................... 19,206,516 Religious................................................................................................ 25,612,327 Membership.......................................................................................... 57,084,922 Miscellaneous Fraternal Activities..................................................... 40,015,541 Total Expenditures.......................................................................... $198,942,104 We are proud to say that the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America has contributed to the above statistics with the following figures: Charitable Events.......................................................................................... 1,105 Charitable Acts............................................................................................... 9,495 Charitable Hours......................................................................................... 18,850 Disbursements............................................................................................$ 30,050 (Excluding the Bethlen Home to which we donate $20,000 per year.) These statistics reflect continuing good work of fraternal benefit societies, both at the national and local levels. This summary, however, cannot adequately reveal the beneficial effect on the individuals who have been touched by such selfless efforts. Fraternal benefit societies in the United States and Canada maintain and support orphanages, homes for the aged (the Bethlen Home with 104 beds), and other humanitarian institutions. They provide welfare services for the destitute and indigent. They give material and financial aid during times of natural disaster. They generously support and actively participate in United Fund, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Heart Fund, and other projects. They work with the mentally retarded, the blind and the handicapped. Fraternal benefit societies are also responsive to the problems facing our young people today. Fraternals offer drug abuse and child abuse prevention programs. Extensive youth programs and youth camps provide athletic, social, cultural and educational activities; offer scholarships, and foster patriotism and other worthwhile ideals. This is fraternalism in action — a committed, vital force striving to meet head-on the challenges of the future. At this time, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to those members of our organization who helped foster the fraternal spirit of the Federation. May God bless them for their selfless and dedicated work in the service of fraternalism. George Dózsa, President
