William Penn Life, 1999 (34. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1999-12-01 / 12. szám
Fraternalists have not only met but exceeded their commitments to the needy, our communities and our youth. • ln 1998, the fraternal benefit system volunteered almost 72.6 million hours toward community service projects. That’s the equivalent of more than $1 billion in hourly wages. (Based on Independent Sector’s calculated wage of $14.30 per hour.) KEEPING OUR PROMISE THIS PAGE USUALLY FOCUSES attention on the goals and programs of one charitable organization. In a way, such goals and programs are promises: promises to aid a certain segment of our society in a certain way. Last month, we shifted the focus from promises that have been made to promises that have been kept. Specifically, we focused on the charitable efforts made by one fratemalist: Bud Miller of Chicago. You may not realize it, but you and Bud Miller share something in common. You, as a member of the William Penn Association, and Mr. Miller both serve as links in one of North America's largest volunteer networks: the fraternal benefit system. Since 1886, the voice of the fraternal benefit system has been the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA). The WPA is one of 92 fraternal societies in the U.S. and Canada with membership in this trade association. NFCA societies boast more than 10 million members across the continent. Recently, the NFCA released a report detailing the contributions fraternalists have made to their communities. The figures reflect a great legacy of promises kept. In 1998, the latest year for which figures are available, fraternalists donated nearly 72.6 million hours to nearly 7.4 million community service events. All of these events were organized or sponsored by a fraternal society or local branch. All helped needy individuals or the community at large. The WPA and its branches were proud to have organized or sponsored 1,474 such community service events in 1998 Local branches and their fraternal societies also spent nearly $250 million to assist the needy or improve their communities. This figure includes monies spent on organizing and running charitable events as well as direct donations. At least half of all community service programs and disbursements by fraternals either benefitted or involved young people. That means the fraternal system more than surpassed its commitment to America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of our nation's 15 million at-risk youth. Over the two-year period (1997-1998), fraternal societies and their local branches volunteered 13 million hours and contributed in excess of $10.8 million to: • Scholarships and leadership training; • Programs to combat alcohol and drug use; • Mentoring projects and youth clubs; and • Activities for mental and physical well-being. Pride may be considered a sin, but, as a fratemalist, it is difficult not to take great personal satisfaction in the enormous and important contributions made by fraternalists to the needy and our communities. Now, it is up to all of us to keep up the good work. [jy}»j'] Charity Links For more on the NFCA’s report on the charitable activities of its member societies, log onto: 9 http://www.nfcanet.org For more information about America’s Promise—The Alliance for Youth, you can check out that organization's own web site at: 9 http://www.americaspromise.org 6 William I'fnn lila, December 1999
