William Penn Life, 2001 (36. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-12-01 / 12. szám
The Power of One NFCA selects Oklahoma woman as its Fraternalist of the Year NAPERVILLE, IL - From helping ill children realize their wishes to assisting disaster victims in their time of need, Patricia L. Metheny, a member of Woodmen of the World / Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, has devoted her life to volunteering. For her extraordinary efforts, she was named the National Fraternal Congress of America's 2001 Fraternalist of the Year. The award, given annually by the NFCA, honors the nation's top volunteer among the more than 10.5 million members affiliated with NFCA fraternal benefit societies. Fraternalism has played an important role in Metheny's life for more than two decades. She describes herself as "one of those people who enjoys helping others by getting involved and staying busy." Metheny was nominated for the award by Woodmen of the World / Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, based in Omaha, Neb. In addition to the national recognition, she received a $1,000 check for her favorite charity during the NFCA's annual meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., September 19-22. Metheny chose to contribute the check to the First Baptist Church Medical Mission of Durant, Oklahoma. A Woodmen member since 1983, Metheny belongs to Lodge 558 in Durant, Okla. She has served as a lodge officer each year since joining Woodmen, most recently as president. She was Woodmen's Oklahoma Jurisdictional President in 1999-2001. Metheny was named Woodmen's Fraternalist of the Year in 2001. "It's rewarding to be able to help someone who needs it," Metheny said. "For example, I work with the Wishing Well Foundation, and to see a child's face light up when we grant his wish is very rewarding." Metheny credits Woodmen of the World for expanding her volunteer efforts through the years. "The fraternal system opened my eyes to new avenues for helping others." For the past 10 years, Metheny has served on the board of directors of Oklahoma Woodmen Fraternal Activities, Inc., where she is active on the Disaster Relief Committee. Among her many other Woodmen activities, she regularly picks up elderly lodge members so they can attend lodge meetings. "Patricia Metheny is a living testament to fraternalism and giving for others," said Anthony Snyder, NFCA communications director. "We are proud to honor her as our outstanding volunteer in 2001." In addition to her Woodmen The fraternal system opened my eyes to new avenues for helping others.’ Patricio L Metheny Fraternalist of the Year activities, Metheny is a member of the First Baptist Church where, for the past 25 years, she has worked with the Sunday school, youth groups, personnel and finance committees. She developed a group, Helping Hands, through her Sunday school class to aid the elderly. Metheny serves on the board of directors of the church's free clinic, Medical Mission, where she volunteers each week, and she created and manages a system for ordering medications for indigent patients through the Indigent Patient Program. In keeping with her devotion to family and community, Metheny also serves on the boards of a number of nonprofit organizations including the United Way, the Pregnancy Center of Bryan County, Inc. and the Wishing Well Foundation (an organization similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation but focused on north Texas and southern Oklahoma.) A total of 37 fraternalists were nominated for the NFCA award. Runners up were: First Runner Up Twyla Bohl, Catholic Family Life Insurance; Second Runner Up (Tie) Jane Goertz Hellinger, Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas (KJZT) and Orville Fillbrandt, Knights of Columbus; Third Runner Up Dan Marcis, Aid Association for Lutherans and Fourth Runner Up Pauline Barbara Miklovic, First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. |p| | Milliam Prnn Life, December 2001 7
