National Catholic Forester

National Catholic Forester 14 for eight years, was chairperson for the Education Contest, and assists with any fundraisers necessary. She is also a member of the Serra Club, and served as secretary for three years. Fundraisers for the Serra Club include brat fries and corn roasts, to name a few. Sylvia is also on the Membership Committee for the Serra Club. Sylvia has been a member of the Wood County Association for Home and Community Education (or "Homemakers") for 38 years, and president for eight years. She held the position of county treasurer for 8 years as well. Sylvia has sung and traveled with the Friendship Choir for 24 years. For the past 23 years, she has been volunteering weekly at the local hospital. Sylvia also donates her time reading to children at a local Head Start. Sylvia has contributed countless years volunteering at the Rudolph Grotto. Family is at the top of her list. Having lost her husband many years ago hasn't stopped Sylvia from being a fantastic mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is one of the most compassionate, genuine, loving people in the community. Her family appreciates when she finds time to drive 170 miles to dog-sit for a week – almost as much as they enjoy when she bakes! ABILITY TO MOBILIZE gENERATIONS Sylvia especially shines for Court 998's yearly Hearts and Hands Pancake Breakfast by including all community adults to make pancakes. She also assists in many other capacities, especially helping parents train their children to wait tables. Sylvia knows teamwork is key for breakfasts to be successful. This really combines fraternalism with community volunteerism and engagement. For all bake sales/fundraisers that occur, Sylvia does her part to reach out and make sure everyone can be involved in the "making and baking." Sylvia makes everyone feel welcome, and she has energy that does not expire. SUBMITTED BY IRENE SMITS, JUNIOR DIRECTOR OF COURT 998 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS – FRATERNALIST OF THE YEAR Thank you to our 2017 nominees! We are very proud of our members' fraternal good works! PATRICIA BOYD St. Adolph Court 901, Park Rapids, MN AGNES M. GIANOLI St. Margaret Court 1074, Athens, WI DOROTHY A. SCHMITT St. Mary Court 657, Fort Atkinson, IA ALICE STRAMER St. Mary Court 815, Norway, IA Junior Fraternalist of the Year! Young Adult Fraternalist of the Year! New Awards for our Younger Members! Watch for more information on these new awards in upcoming issues of the National Catholic Forester magazine. 1 2 Sylvia Weiler is NCSF's 2017 Fraternalist of the Year! CONT. FROM PAGE 13 COMINg SOON!

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