Janet K. Kuper, a Modern Woodmen member from Malden, Mo., is Modern Woodmen of America’s national Fraternalist of the Year.
She has also been recognized as a Fraternal MVP by the National Fraternal Congress of America for the week of Oct. 15.
Modern Woodmen's Fraternalist of the Year honor is a national award 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.
As Fraternalist of the Year, Janet receives a recognition award and a $500 donation to the charity of her choice, the St. Teresa School Building Fund.
A Modern Woodmen member for 21 years, Janet has volunteered as the leader of the local Modern Woodmen youth club for the past 16 years, and she has served as camp secretary of the Malden Modern Woodmen camp for seven years. In these roles, Janet coordinated many volunteer projects to help the community.
In 2006, her youth club members’ activities included:
- making valentines, Easter cards and flower baskts for homebound and elderly residents
- presenting U.S. flags to St. Teresa School
- making cards and gifts for the club’s adopted grandparent
- donating clothing to a local child in need
- sharing conversation and memories through a “Remember when” activity with the elderly at the Campbell Nutrition Center meal site
- picking up litter at the park
- planting trees at the Glennonville Cemetery
- donating books, videos and DVDs to local libraries
- donating soup labels to raise funds for Campbell Elementary and St. Teresa School
- making school supply bags for students in need · donating stationery and stamps to homebound residents
- collecting and donating canned goods for the Malden Senior Center
Janet also spearheaded many projects for Modern Woodmen’s adult members and their families. In 2006, local camp members:
- raised $2,000 for the Daisy Morris Nutrition Center
- met for fellowship and family life educational sessions
- honored community volunteer Ada Bader as a Hometown Hero
- painted playground equipment and planted trees at Glennonville Park
Principal of St. Teresa School, she is active in many additional volunteer roles:
- member of the parish council for St. Teresa and St. Ann churches
- school board member and member of the Building, Finance and Technology committees at St. Teresa School
- helps organize many events, including the Founder’s Day Giveaway, St. Teresa dinner auction fundraiser, weekly bingo nights, the Glennonville Picnic and the high school seniors’ lock-in
Additionally, she brings seventh- and eighth-graders to assist with her Modern Woodmen camp activities.
“Janet can motivate youths and adults to work together,” says retired Modern Woodmen representative and Malden resident Bonnie Selby. “They feel her love and encouragement. She is such a warm, open person that they are the same way with each other.”
Randy Rainwater, agency manager for Modern Woodmen’s Missouri Southeast agency, nominated Janet for the Fraternalist of the Year honor.