Frank Wienczkowski Named 2007 Fraternalist Of The Year

Pictured above is Frank Wienczkowski with his wife Agnes.

By Frank Winters,
Communications Director

Frank Wienczkowski of Nest 123, Erie, Pa., has been selected as this year’s Polish Falcons of America Fraternalist of the Year. Perhaps nobody can describe Druh Wienczkowski’s contributions to the Falcons and to his community better than his daughter Rebecca Sienkiewicz, who said, “He has dedicated long hours of volunteer time in his life to help those in need, to help our Nest and has served on many committees to forward the interests of the Falcon order.” And for the past year, Druh Wienczkowski’s efforts to preserve Nest 123 were much needed.

As the Nest’s Male Vice President, a title he has held for more than 10 years, Druh Wienczkowski and Nest 123’s then-Female Vice President Rosemarie Varhola worked together, along with the rest of the Nest members, to deal with the sudden passing of President Robert Szoszorek on October 25, 2006. In addition to helping with the internal challenges Nest 123 faced this past year, Druh Wienczkowski chaired the successful effort to replace the Nest’s deteriorating roof and helped keep the Club going strong.

A Gold Legion of Honor member, Druh Wienczkowski has been involved with a wide variety of Nest-related committees during the past year, including those dealing with the Nest’s successful Casino Night, Children’s Christmas and Easter parties, Thursday Night Bingo events and annual Super Bowl party. In addition, he is the Nest’s Small Games Manager and serves on the committee that coordinates the Nest’s annual summertime Family Picnic at Waldameer Park.
But committees and Bingo nights aren’t the only Falcon events that Druh Wienczkowski takes an active role in at Nest 123 –– he attends the funeral home and service of every Nest 123 member that has passed away.

Not only has Druh Wienczkowski been an active Nest member, but also he has served on the District IX Bowling Committee and is known for his participation in District and National Bowling and Golf tournaments. He has also been a District IX Auditor since 2004.
Druh Wienczkowski has also played an instrumental role in the success of Nest 123’s youth programs. Ever since he helped start up the Nest’s junior bowling league back in 1977, Druh Wienczkowski has regularly attended these outings every Saturday morning. He also helps organize District IX’s annual Youth Bowling Tournament. Druh Wienczkowski has helped three junior bowlers develop their skills to the point where they recently earned scholarships from a youth tournament sponsored by the Greater Erie Region. He also volunteers and is a patron for local Erie youth hockey and golf programs.

Druh Wienczkowski’s good works aren’t only limited to Nest 123. A member of the local St. Stanislaus Parish Day Committee, he is a member of the church’s Sports Boosters Club and a Holy Name Men’s Society member. He is also a St. Luke’s Casino Night sponsor and an Erie Gymnastics youth supporter, along with being a Cub/Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet attendee and a member of the St. Martin’s Center Children’s Giving Tree Committee. Druh Wienczkowski represented Nest 123 at the Holy Trinity Parish’s recent Zabawa Celebration, at the Miss Polonaise Ball Eastside Federation of Clubs and at the annual Shining Stars Luncheon that was held at St. Martin’s Center.

In the scarce free time away from his numerous volunteer activities, Druh Wienczkowski enjoys camping with his family, which includes his wife of 53 years Agnes (Buczkowski), four daughters and six grandchildren, all of which are involved in some way with the Falcons, either through youth activities or Nest projects.A

s part of being awarded the 2007 PFA Fraternalist of the Year, Druh Wienczkowski has been nominated for the NFCA Fraternalist of the Year Award, which is held annually by the National Fraternal Congress of America. Nest 123 will also receive a check from Falcon National Headquarters in the amount of $100 for submitting the winning nomination.

Established in 1989, the Polish Falcons of America Fraternalist of the Year award annually recognizes those members who best exemplify fraternal service through volunteerism and leadership within the Falcon organization and throughout their communities.

A heartfelt congratulations to Druh Wienczkowski and the other nominees for providing a fine example of fraternalism and community service. While only one Fraternalist of the Year award can be annually given out, the real winners in this program are the communities and people affected by the charity and goodwill of all those Falcon members who were nominated.