Fraternalist Of The Year

PFA Fraternalist of the Year

Frank Wienczkowski.

Frank Wienczkowski Named 2007 PFA Fraternalist Of The Year
Through his tireless efforts within the Falcon organization and across his community, Frank Wienczkowski of Nest 123, Erie, Pa., has been selected as the Polish Falcons of America 2007 Fraternalist of the Year. Read even more about this extraordinary member and learn about the PFA's Fraternalist of the Year Award Program, which was established in 1989. [Full Story]

A Message From The 2007 Fraternalist Of The Year
By Frank Wienczkowski, Nest 123 Vice President
I would like to express my humble appreciation in being chosen for this year’s Fraternalist of the Year Award.

Being a part of the Polish Falcons of America, I have met many people of our heritage and made many friends along the way. It is truly an honor to be selected for this award. I hope to continue with all my work as long as God permits.

I wish to thank my nominating committee from Nest 123, Erie, Pa.; the awards committee and all of the members of this wonderful organization for giving me the opportunity to get to know and work with many of you. I look forward to meeting more new people and celebrating our Polish heritage.

2007 PFA Fraternalist Of The Year Nominees
Druh Frank Wienczkowski of Nest 123, Erie, Pa., has been selected as the 2007 Polish Falcons of America Fraternalist of the Year. Below you will find information about the other Falcon members who were also nominated for this award.

Making the choice from so many highly qualified applicants for this annual award is difficult, and this year proved no exception. It took several days before the PFA Fraternalist of the Year Committee members were able to make a unanimous decision on this year’s recipient. The committee members are Robert J. Gorny, National Second Vice President; Wallace Zielinski, National President; and Frank Winters, Communications Director.

The PFA Fraternalist of the Year Committee would like to take this time to thank all the nominees, along with their Nests and Districts, for participating in this program. We congratulate all of the nominees and thank them for their unselfish volunteer work to help improve their communities and the lives of others.

Irene Bentkowski.

Irene Bentkowski: Nest 80, South Bend, Ind.
Druhna Bentkowski volunteers at Nest 80’s monthly fish dinners, promotes 50/50 sales and recently gave a presentation on “Poland, Polish People and Polish Customs” before a Professional Education Organization group.
An active member of the Nest 80 Booster Club, Druhna Bentkowski is Treasurer for the Sylvester & Tessie Kaminski Foundation’s Board of Directors, which awards monetary donations to Nests 4 and 80 in South Bend for their youth programs.

Aside from her Falcon involvement, Druhna Bentkowski is an auxiliary member and volunteer at St. Joseph Region Medical Center, along with being Chairperson of the Copernicus Scholarship Committee A supporter of the American Center of Polish Culture, Druhna Bentkowski volunteers at election polls, leads a weekly senior exercise class and participates in the annual West Side Memorial Day Parade. In addition, she attends Oplatek and October heritage dinners, and takes part in annual fundraising walks for the Center for the Homeless and a local area food bank. She serves on the outreach team for St. Mary’s Parish and attended the National Mission and Evangelism Commission Workshop in San Antonio, Texas, which was held this past May.

Druhna Bentkowski sponsors joint concerts with St. Adalbert’s choir, serves monthly dinners and helps organize the “Big T Toastmasters” Club. She also helped mobilize a “Join Hands Day” event at St. Mary’s Parish and assists at annual bazaars and monthly fish dinners, along with supporting a wide variety of Sunday School programs.

Mary Folcik.

Mary Folcik: Nest 307, Southington, Conn.
A Silver Legion of Honor member, Druhna Folcik has been an integral part of Nest 307-related fundraisers, such as the Ladies Golf Tournament and Kielbasa Open. In addition, she has volunteered at Falcon booths in both the Italian and Apple Harvest festivals.

Druhna Folcik is a member that likes to work behind-the-scenes at other fundraisers like Cinco de Mayo, Valentine’s Day and Luau Night doing tasks such as preparing food and decorating the Nest 307 Club. Money raised at these fundraisers go to Nest 307’s scholarship, cancer and epilepsy funds, just to name a few. She also volunteers for various blood drives, coat drives and also sends care packages to soldiers overseas.

A devoted grandmother, Druhna Folcik also makes time for the Nest 307 youth. Last Easter, she helped make more than 60 Easter baskets and wrapped more than 100 gifts during the Christmas season. She has also made gift bags and raised money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

An active member at her local church, Druhna Folcik has worked at a variety of dinners and fundraisers. Other local charitable events that she has taken part in this past year include Graduation Night, Bread for Life, the Special Olympics, Cancer Relay for Life and the Walk for Autism. She has also been involved with the American Legion of Poppy Sales and continues to collect clothing for hurricane victims.

Patricia Barscz.

Patricia Barscz: Nest 580, Pittsfield, Mass.
A fixture at Nest 580, Druhna Barscz contributes to a variety of “Jimmy Fund” events, including an annual Fish Derby that takes place in February. She also heads up the Jimmy Fund Shuffleboard Tournament, whose proceeds go toward cancer research. In addition, Druhna Barscz assists with the Nest 580 “Relay for Life,” whose proceeds also go toward those fighting cancer, and she volunteers with hospice care in the Berkshire for adults.

Druhna Barscz became a member of Nest 22, Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1976 and was active with that Nest’s youth program and also participated in a number of bowling tournaments. She has served on the House Committee and as a District I Board Director.

In 1990, Druhna Barscz married Edward Barscz of Nest 580 and became a member of the Pittsfield Nest, serving as Nest Vice President and District V Recording Secretary. She is active in Nest 580 youth activities, organizing tag sales and raffles that support the youth program. She has also attended National Junior Volleyball Tournaments and District Zlots throughout the years.

Druhna Barscz is currently employed by the Berkshire Community Action Council, where she assists low-income families with heating assistance and other social services.

An Overview Of The PFA Fraternalist Of The Year Award
The PFA Fraternalist of the Year Award annually recognizes those Falcons who best exemplify the qualities of fraternalism through volunteering. This award is an excellent way for Nests and Districts to recognize those members who live their lives as true fraternalists.

We can't forget about our outstanding fraternalists of the past! Here is a recap of our past award recipients since this program began.

PFA Fraternalists of the Year
2007 — Frank Wienczkowski, Nest 123, Erie, Pa.
2006 — Thomas Janiki, Nest 307, Southington, Conn.
2005 — Emily Ottavi, Nest 307, Southington, Conn.
2004 — No award given.
2003 — Mary Mazur, Nest 36, Southwestern Conn.
2002 — Donald Walkowiak, Nest 80, South Bend, Ind.
2001 — Edna Ulatowski, Nest 107, Bridgeport, Conn.
2000 — Anne Rost, Nest 118, Pittsburgh, Pa.
1999 — Jeffrey Jalowiecki, Nest 307, Southington, Conn.
1998 — Dan Michalak, Nest 68, Meriden, Conn.
1997 — Edward Andrzejewski, Nest 31, Detroit, Mich.
1996 — Marian Wesolowski, Nest 6, Buffalo, N.Y.
1995 — Wanda A. Nowak, Nest 80, South Bend, Ind.
1994 — Stanley Grabowy, Nest 17, Newark, N.J.
1993 — Charles M. Samul, Nest 6, Buffalo, N.Y.
1992 — Eugene Megin, Nest 68, Meriden, Conn.
1991 — Alexsandra Buckley, Nest 104, Newark, N.J.
1990 — Frederick G. Choromanski, Nest 36, Bridgeport, Conn.
1989 — Mary Jo Wojton, Nest 159, Ford City, Pa.