Glenda Bruins, a Modern Woodmen member from Dixon, Ill., is Modern Woodmen of America’s national Fraternalist of the Year.

This national award is given annually to one Modern Woodmen member who has provided outstanding volunteer service in the community and excellent leadership in his or her local chapter throughout the past year.

Modern Woodmen has more than 760,000 members nationwide. For this honor, Bruins will receive a rosewood clock and a $500 donation to the charity of her choice, the Senior Advocate Center Chartered in Sterling.

Bruins has been making a difference in her community for more than 40 years. She is a youth service club leader and camp secretary of three adult camps.

Bruins often quotes the adage: “Charity begins at home, but doesn’t end there.” Highlights of Bruin’s volunteer spirit include:

• Leading an adult camp to win Modern Woodmen’s 125th Anniversary Food Drive. In addition to the food collected, the $1,250 award was also donated to three local food pantries.
• Being instrumental in the organization of a food bank serving the 60 food pantries in the area.
• Being named the 2008 Illinois Fraternal Congress Fraternalist of the Year for her volunteer service.
• Donating light bulbs to community members in need.
• Collecting and distributing clothes to the Clothes Closet and food to food pantries.
• Donating the use of her truck and trailer for distribution of donations.
• Serving as president of Whiteside County Crimestoppers for more than 15 years.
• Volunteering as a Special Olympics coach.
• Writing grants to help community organizations.

As a result of her flood clean-up efforts in the mid ’90s, Glenda developed COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and subsequently suffered three strokes. Despite her health problems, she has continued her fraternal activities, inspiring her camp and club members and those in her community.

“This deserving lady truly cares about others, lives the Golden Rule, yet asks for nothing in return,” says Modern Woodmen District Agent Paul Leal, Rock Falls, who nominated Bruins for the Fraternalist of the Year honor.