Christy Aberl, a Modern Woodmen member from Bridgeport, Texas, is Modern Woodmen of America’s 2012 Fraternalist of the Year.
The national award is presented annually to a Modern Woodmen member who has provided outstanding volunteer service in the community and excellent leadership in his or her local area throughout the previous year. Modern Woodmen has more than 750,000 members nationwide.
For this honor, Aberl received a recognition award and a $500 donation to the local charity of her choice, Fly Without Wings Equine Center. The center provides free horseback riding therapy for at-risk youths; battered men, women and children; veterans; and the disabled.
Aberl is a Modern Woodmen youth service club leader and serves as the activities coordinator for six Modern Woodmen chapters – in Bridgeport, Graham, Mineral Wells, Decatur, Denton and Rockwall. Her chapter and club members participate in a variety of service projects throughout the year, supporting a local women’s shelter, fire and police departments, nursing homes, schools, retirement centers, animal shelters and more.
In 2011, Aberl coordinated:
- 11 fundraisers for community needs.
- 2 tree-planting projects.
- 5 hands-on “Good Neighbor” community improvement projects.
- 6 Make a Difference Day projects.
- 6 Join Hands Day projects, working with kids and adults to donate stuffed animals to local fire and police departments to comfort kids in times of trauma.
Aberl also organized monthly chapter and youth club meetings, and she serves as a mentor to other chapter activities coordinators in north Texas. She donated 16 youth educational programs to area schools.
In addition to her Modern Woodmen volunteer roles, 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 award.