Modern Woodmen celebrates fraternal spirit with first-ever Fraternal Week

Modern Woodmen of America celebrated what makes the organization unique with its first-ever Fraternal Week, Sept. 15-19.

As a fraternal financial services organization, Modern Woodmen's mission is to improve quality of life for its members and their communities. Through the weeklong initiative, employees had opportunities to give back to their community and soak up what fraternalism is all about.

• Over 100 employees took shifts at an all-day service project to support the West End Revitalization initiative on 16. They helped four parks in Rock Island - Sunset Park, Rauch Family Park, Denkmann Park, and MLK Park, along with the MLK 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.

Modern Woodmen employees picked up sticks and litter at Denkmann Park in Rock Island.

Five employees were also presented with 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.

Modern Woodmen's 2025 Fraternal Champion Award recipients. Pictured (from left to right): Terri Kosman, Trista Wiegel, Marc Carlson and Sam Bryant. Not pictured: Kelley Adams.

The week concluded with a rally on 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 Modern Woodmen President and CEO Jerry Lyphout. "Thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered and helped bring this week to life. You made Fraternal Week 2025 not just memorable, but meaningful."

Modern Woodmen presented a check to the West End Revitalization project for $12,660. Pictured (from left to right): Modern Woodmen Fraternal Outreach Associate Kate Schieffer, Modern Woodmen Chief Fraternal Officer and Senior Vice President Jason Nickles, MLK Center Executive Director Jerry Jones, and Modern Woodmen President and CEO Jerry Lyphout.

Learn how Modern Woodmen gives back across the country.

About Modern Woodmen

Modern Woodmen of America was founded in 1883 to clear financial burdens - not trees. As a fraternal financial services organization, Modern Woodmen's products and programs support financial security, quality family life and community impact - the common bonds that unite our members nationwide.