William Penn Life, 1996 (31. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1996-02-01 / 2. szám
WILLIAM PENN LIFE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WILLIAM PENN ASSOCIATION, 709 BRIGHTON RD, PITTSBURGH 3 Volume 31, Number 2 Address Correction Requested February 2 Ui S* ■tJ to rn vt 2 SC C> M —( O C w ’ 20 2 O C. & 0» >0 •=> Celebrating 110 years of fraternalism As our Association prepares to celebrate its 110th anniversary on Feb. 21, we can only wonder what the Hungarian immigrants who founded our society would think of it today. The 13 coal miners who signed our charter in Hazleton, Pa., in 1886 did so with two ideas in mind: one, they wanted to provide financial assistance to the families of deceased members and to fellow members disabled in the mines; and, two, they wanted to develop a sense of community amongst Hungarian Americans. Over the last 110 years, our society has maintained and expanded upon those founding principles. Today, the William Penn is recognized as a solid member of the fraternal insurance industry, serving over 50,000 members and maintaining assets of more than $117 million. It is a staunch supporter of the American Hungarian community and a leading promoter of Hungarian culture in America. It also is recognized as a benevolent and charitable organization both nationally and in the communities in which it has branches. As the scope of our fraternal, ethnic and charitable programs widened, the William Penn could have easily lost sight of its founding principles. But it has not. Our society has remained focused on the ideas o providing financial security to o members, celebrating our herita supporting our communities. A pledge to keep the fraternal flan burning for many years to com« We think our founding fathe would be proud. Happy Birthday to our great Association. The newest member of Branch 15 Chicago, Matthew Marocsik, receives a gift from St. Nicholas during the branch’s family Christmas party. For more on how our branches celebrated the holidays, see Branch News, on Page 4. AHF names Chairman Hrabar recipient of 1996 service award NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Michael J. Hrabar, chairman of the WPA Board of Directors, has been named as a recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Service Award presented by the American Hungarian Foundation (AHF). The award recognizes Mr. Hrabar’s lifelong efforts in promoting Hungarian activities and culture as well as his decades of service to his community and its children. A resident of Avenel, N.J., Mr. Hrabar was an employee of Woodbridge Township, N.J., for 34 years, retiring as superintendent of buildings and grounds. He was a member of the Avenel Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years, including 15 years as fire commissioner. But, it is his community’s children who hold a special place in his heart. He helped direct his community’s educational system as a former member and past president of the Woodbridge Township Board of Education. He also provided local youth with leadership and guidance as a coach for the Avenel Bantam and Junior Bowling Leagues, manager for the Woodbridge Babe Ruth Baseball League and scout master at St. Andrew’s Church. His love for his Hungarian heritage is just as great. His election in 1995 as the Association’s chairman of the Board capped more than four decades of service to the Association and Hungarians on both local and national levels. He served as president of Branch 16 Perth Amboy for 38 years. In 1971, he was elected to the National Auditing Committee and served on the committee for 16 years until his election to the Board of Directors in 1987. He was named vice chairman of the Board in 1990 and elected chairman during the 33rd General Convention in September 1995. A member of the AHF Board of Directors, Mr. Hrabar was honored in 1994 as the "Hungarian of the Year” by Woodbridge Township for his civic and com-MICHAEL J. HRABAR Chairman of the Board munity service. He has also been honored by the VFW Post in Avenel and his community for his service during World War II and his work with children. He and his wife of 48 years, Ann, have two daughters and five granddaughters. Mr. Hrabar will be one of two Distinguished Service Award recipients to be honored during the AHF’s 33rd Carousel Ball. The other recipient will be the Hun— See 'HRABAR’ Page 3 Scholarship Foundation seeks applicants PITTSBURGH — The William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc., recently announced its annual call for applicants for its 1996 seholaiship awards. All students seeking first-time or renewal grants must submit their application materials or written requests for renewal to the Foundation president, postmarked no later than May 15, 1996. Complete eligibility rules for all scholarship applicants can be found on Page 3 of this issue. All applications for first-time grants must be made on forms furnished by the Foundation. Applications for scholarship grants and other necessary forms can be obtained by writing to: President, William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc., 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. The Foundation was organized in 1968 as a fraternal program specifically designed to benefit the Association’s young members seeking a better life through higher education. The early years were spent raising sufficient funds and establishing an investment portfolio which would allow the Foundation to grant scholarships on a continual basis. The first scholarship awards were granted in March 1972. Eight students received grants of $100 each, and three others received grants of $250 each, for a total of 11 recipients and $1,550 in grants. From that modest beginning the Foundation has grown to become one of the Association’s most successful and important fraternal programs. Last year alone, the Foundation awarded $72,000 in scholarship grants to 144 students. Through the generosity of its members and friends, the Association is able to continue to offer this assistance to our young members. We look forward to helping even more young members achieve their academic and career goals. Inside____ ■ Pittsburgh prepares to greet bowlers........................Page 2. ■ Emil Herman: how to be ready to file claims .............Page 2. ■ Chef Wilmos presents more tasty recipes................Page 3. ■ In Memóriám and Donations for December.............Page 7. ■ WPA tours provide unique opportunity................Page 8. Next Deadline February 16 Ú2227353 0í)19 1 KATHERINE MARI MOLNÁR
