Society Leadership

Mary has been a very involved member of Branch 1425 since she joined us a little over 10 years ago. Shortly after becoming a member, the branch was in need of another vice-president, and Mary volunteered without hesitation, holding that office until 2021. She proved to be a wonderful right hand, jumping in and assisting me year after year with whatever project or decision I needed to make or do. It was always comforting for me to know that should I have to leave the office of president; Mary would be extremely capable to take over the reins!

Mary not only cooked for and worked at all of our luncheon fundraisers, but gave her time and talent as well, sewing and quilting wall hangings & donating them to be used as additional fundraisers. Tickets were purchased at our luncheons for these lovely wall hangings to be auctioned off, bringing in considerable extra cash for our luncheon profits!

She has often helped our group find guest speakers and has had some wonderful suggestions for programs during these last several years.

If members were asked to show up early at meetings, Christmas parties or fundraising events, you could always count on Mary to be there.

Service to Others

Mary is truly devoted to her church and community. This is very evident in all the ways she chooses to give back to both. For example, she is a Eucharistic Minister at Christ Prince of Peace Parish. Mary has also been in charge of ordering the flowers and decorating the church for both the Easter and Christmas seasons. This is no small task, being on a small committee organizing volunteers to help decorate and beautify this very large building. Her talents always shine through, as our parish is truly majestic every Easter and Christmas season.

Mary has been a very active volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul store, having worked there since 2010. In addition, she now serves on the board there, which obviously involves more responsibility and additional time.

As a member of the Rivers Bend Quilt Guild, Mary makes quilts for women and children, then donates them to local women's shelters, such as HAVIN (Helping Abuse Victims in Need). She also works with the local animal shelter "Orphans of the Storm," providing discarded bedding for the abandoned animals housed at this no-kill shelter.

Mary is also a volunteer for "Friends of the Kittanning Park," where, throughout the year, its members volunteer to clean up the park by creating flower beds, pruning, raking, and planting. This park sits along the Allegheny River and is host to many large events each year such as the Armstrong Folk Festival, boat shows, and summer concerts and movies. Thanks to this group, the park is always well-maintained with beautiful shrubs and flowers blooming for the public to enjoy.

In addition, Mary is a volunteer on the "Arts on the Allegheny" committee, a non-profit group providing free entertainment in the form of concerts for Armstrong County. Funds permitting, this event is hosted three times a summer and is a year-long planning process, as many big names in the music world have played on its stage.

So, as you can see, Mary is most certainly devoted to her church and community. This is evident to all, since Mary has been a first runner-up for Fraternalist of the Year in the past!

Innovative Leadership

Besides working with all ages of women in our own organization through a variety of programs, projects, and fundraisers, I would say that the best example of Mary engaging in cross-generational activity would be her work decorating the church. Because of the massive undertaking it involves, the church asks for many volunteers to show up and help beautify the interior/exterior for the holiday seasons. Each year a mix of old and young parishioners band together to make this a reality! Depending on the year, committee members never know how many volunteers they will be lucky enough to get or who they will be! Despite this, Mary and the committee members spearhead these projects very successfully. She helps coordinate the ordering and decorating seamlessly, and the results are always beautiful! Her management and people skills are excellent, and Mary works very well in all of these volunteer organizations that involve and welcome people of all ages.

She is well-known and very respected not only in our parish community but in the community at large for her willingness to help and make a difference.

2022
Kathy Valasek
Branch 1425

2021
Sara Green
Branch 1425

2020
Stacy Klukan
Branch 1425

2019
Dr. Michele A. Oleksak
Branch 1425

2018
Charlene Herzig
Branch 867

2017
Carmella Shirley
Branch 1425

2016
Marcia Orton
Branch 1425