Giving Back
Fraternalism in Action
Preserving the Slovak Institute
The Slovak Institute and Research Library at the St. Andrew Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world’s largest repository of Slovak cultural, historical, and literary treasures. Since its founding in 1952, it has preserved rare books, artwork, maps, correspondence, and…
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Fraternalism in Action
Branch 746 Donates to St. John the Apostle Church Food Pantry
Members of Branch 746 generously brought pantry donations to support the St. John the Apostle Church Food Pantry in Clark, NJ. Donations were collected at the branch meeting as part of the Union’s ongoing commitment to serving the community through…
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Fraternalism in Action
District 10 and Branch 24 Show Their School Spirit
Branch 24, led by President John Moynihan, organized a Shoes and Clothes for Kids Foundation drive at their September meeting. Members donated school supplies for students in the Cleveland school district. District 10 members from Branches 1, 24, 228, 450,…
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Fraternalism in Action
District 4’s Annual Food Drive
As part of the Msgr. John E. Rura District 4 (NJ) Annual Meeting, it has become a long time tradition for members to bring non-perishable food items for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County which is always in need…
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Fraternalism in Action
Branch 587 Project Supports St. Andrew the Apostle Food Bank
Members of Branch 587, Aliquippa, PA helped to fight food insecurity in the Mon Valley by donating over $400 of shelf stable food and personal hygiene products to the food bank which serves needy families in Monongahela, Charleroi and Donora…
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Fraternalism in Action
Branch 855 Members are the Cat’s Meow!
Branch 855 held an outdoor meeting on September 7, 2025 that included watching the Cleveland Browns game, eating a feast provided by local mom and pop shops and participating in a Fraternalism in Action project to collect items for the…
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Fraternalism in Action
Branch 181 Donates Baby Items to Alternatives. Yes! Ministries.
At the Branch 181 Annual Family Picnic in June, members participated in the Fraternalism in Action project by donating baby items for Alternatives. Yes Ministries in Connellsville, PA. Vicki Hricik, Recording Secretary, attended the organization’s event, Night for Life Gala,…
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Member Spotlight
Dinga Dynasty
Dinga Family Reunion Celebrating Family, Faith, and Slovak Heritage Submitted by Yvonne Dinga Horner, Branch 200 Member When three generations of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, kids, and grandkids pack up from Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio to meet in…
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Member Spotlight
Beekeeping Sisters Rose and Fran
September is National Honey Month, and Branch 24 members Fran Strekal and her sister, Rose Ivanec, have certainly been busy bees over the past year! Together, they launched their own beekeeping business, tending hives and harvesting golden honey. What began…
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Scholar Spotlight
Matt Schwertfeger
Matthew is a proud native of Uniontown, PA, located southeast of Pittsburgh. Growing up with a large, supportive family, Matthew learned the value of hard work and gained valuable lessons through their time together. He is a 2025 graduate of…
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Member Spotlight
Vince Stankay Shares His Story
Vince Stankay, 88, is a lifelong member of the FCSU and proud of his Slovak Catholic heritage. His parents were members of Branch 35, and Vince and his entire family belong to Branch 888. Three of his grandparents were from…
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Member Spotlight
Steve Rudinec’s Incredible Journey Across All Seven Continents
Stephen A. Rudinec, a native of Donora, Pennsylvania, and longtime member of Branch 670, has achieved something very few people on Earth can claim—he’s set foot on all seven continents! A 1975 graduate of Ringgold High School, Steve’s journey began…
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