Modern Woodmen of America employees fanned out to volunteer for Quad Cities nonprofits and celebrate what makes fraternal financial services organizations unique at its inaugural Fraternal Week, Monday through Friday, Sept. 15-19.
The Rock Island-based Modern Woodmen’s mission is to improve quality of life for its members and their communities. Through the weeklong initiative, employees gave back to their community and were able to “soak up what fraternalism is all about,” Modern Woodmen said in a news release.
Organizations supported
- A wide range of organizations and events received employee help. They included:
- The West End Revitalization initiative on Sept. 16 where more than 100 employees took shifts at an all-day service project. They helped at four parks in Rock Island: Sunset Park, Rauch Family Park, Denkmann Park, and Martin Luther King Park along with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. They picked up litter, painted playgrounds, installed benches and more. Over $12,600 was also donated to the project.
- Employees could support various events organized by Quad Cities-based Modern Woodmen chapters.
- Donated shoes of all sizes for Soles for Children.
- Made donations to the Henry County Humane Society.
- Volunteered at a horse show at New Kingdom Trailriders. Members helped with setup, food prep, food serving and cleanup.
- Donated food items to Fairmount Community Food Pantry.
Champions honored
Also last week, five employees received a Fraternal Champion Award. In its inaugural year, the recipients were Terri Kosman, Print, Mail and Distribution; Kelley Adams, IT-Field Technology and Innovations; Sam Bryant, IT-Infrastructure; Trista Wiegel, IT-Software Development; and Marc Carlson, Underwriting.
These employees embody Modern Woodmen’s mission of making a positive impact on the lives of others. They’re active in their community and exude a sense of generosity in their daily lives. Recipients were able to donate $100 to a charity of their choice.
The week concluded with a rally on Friday, Sept. 19. Employees heard from Modern Woodmen President and CEO Jerry Lyphout, American Fraternal Alliance Chief Executive Officer Allison Koepel, Modern Woodmen Chief Fraternal Officer and Senior Vice President Jason Nickles, and MLK Center Executive Director Jerry Jones.
“The energy, the engagement, the stories shared all remind us why Modern Woodmen’s commitment to community is so powerful,” said Mr. Lyphout. “Thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered and helped bring this week to life. You made Fraternal Week 2025 not just memorable, but meaningful.”
To learn how Modern Woodmen gives back across the country, visit www.modernwoodmen.org/communityimpact.
