Christy Aberl, Bridgeport, Texas, is Modern Woodmen of America’s national 2011 Fraternalist of the Year Runner-up.

The national winner and runner-up awards are given annually to Modern Woodmen members who have provided outstanding volunteer service in the community and excellent leadership in their local chapters throughout the past year. For her efforts, a $250 donation will be given to the charity of her choice, City of Bridgeport Animal Control 

Aberl is a youth service club leader and a chapter activities coordinator for five Modern Woodmen chapters. Her chapters and club have participated in a variety of service projects throughout the year, supporting a local women’s shelter, fire departments, animal shelters and more.

Aberl and her chapters also support the Fly without Wings Equine Center, an organization run exclusively by volunteers providing free horseback riding as therapy for at-risk youths; battered men, women and children; veterans; and the disabled. One of her chapters held a fundraiser to benefit the center. Modern Woodmen matches up to the first $2,500 raised. The chapter also helped build a wheelchair ramp for the organization to help handicapped riders mount the horses with ease.

Recent activities coordinated include four fundraising Matching Fund programs, three Make a Difference Day programs, four Plant A Tree projects and regular monthly chapter meetings. She also serves as a support and mentor to other chapter activities coordinators and has donated 16 free Youth Educational Programs to area schools.

In addition to regular chapter and club responsibilities to members, Aberl is also an active member of her church and a mother to three sons.

Modern Woodmen Regional Director Jeff Sowards, Argyle, Texas, nominated Aberl for the Fraternalist of the Year honor.