ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 101 Number 17
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
May 1, 2013
SPJST sets up West Benevolence Fund
Lodge 181, Conroe Excitement!
Lodge 181, Conroe reorganized recently. The lodge meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Incredible Pizza, 230 South Loop 336 in Conroe. Pictured, front, left to right, Kathy Kocsis, holding a previous SPJST logo, Chuck Kocsis, holding the original Lodge 181, Conroe charter dated February 20, 1977, and Treasurer Patsy McClellan. BACK: Vice President Jim Dinaso, President Barbara WilliamsRash, Secretary Chuck Toney, and Youth Leader Tresa Johnson. Kathy served as an officer of Lodge 181 in the 1980s.
SPJST ENC Readies for Summer
In the days since the massive explosion rocked and devastated a large portion of the city of West, Texas, caring individuals and groups from around the state and across the country have opened their hearts to provide essential goods, services, and financial support. SPJST officials met with the presidents of West area SPJST lodges last week to begin the process of assessing the role that the greater Society will play in contributing to the stabilization and rebuilding efforts in the community. The overwhelming response of those closest to the disaster is that prayers, compassion, and financial assistance are most needed. SPJST expresses thanks to everyone who gave
N N N N N N N N
Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Lodge Secretaries’ Listing...............4-5 District News........................................8 Lodge Section....................................11 Join Hands Day Projects .............16-17
West
a town that had its roots buried deep in Czech heritage for it was immigrant Czechs who built the town and made the farms which gave the town the work ethic and pride that made its reputation
it made the news and put the town in the national spotlight because they said you could wipe it out but you could not wipe out the strength of those Czech immigrants whose blood still ran through their descendants and whose unwavering faith and perseverance would provide them courage to rebuild
wiped half of it off the map and reduced the plant and buildings to outlines on the ground 15 were killed and all forever scarred on this day of terrible tragedy
for no town could have a simpler name or a better people. —SPJST—
no town could have a simpler name or a better people
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ......................................18 Youth Section.....................................24 Czech Culture ....................................27 Advertisements .................................29 Lodge Calendar .................................30 Bloomin’ Temple Information ...........32
Continued on Page 3.
By d.knape of Lodge 187, Round Rock
until the explosion
Lodge 88, Houston Youth Club members Denae Bronikowski, left, and Allison Wockenfuss show off the canoes donated to SPJST Education and Nature Center at Cooper Farm by Lodge 88, Houston. SPJST ENC is gearing up for the summer season. See page 15 for details and a wish list.
early and generously to the West Benevolence Fund. Paypal began logging gifts on the morning after the disaster. On Monday, the first checks directed to the recovery effort began to arrive in the mail. Local lodge leadership will be directing the dispersal of funds collected. Moving forward, efforts will be coordinated by West-area lodge presidents working with West city officials and the SPJST Home Office to identify opportunities for members and other caring individuals and groups seeking to join hands to provide physical assistance in what looks to be a prolonged rebuilding effort. That information will be posted on the
Page 10
Scenes from District Four Spring Meeting
they knew what they had to do they would help each other and survive
N N N N N N N Page 13
Lodge 196 HoustonWest presents award
Pages 19-23
2013 SPJST Scholarship Winners announced