Bonita Springs man receives fraternal organization honors

Gary Cepko of Bonita Springs has been named the Fraternal Most Valuable Participant by the National Fraternal Congress of America.

The group honors individuals who have donated their time and energy to helping their community.

“Gary was nominated because he does so much for everyone,” said Dean Burns, the vice president of the National Slovak Society of the USA.

The Slovak Society nominated Cepko by contacting the National Fraternal Congress of America and filling out documentation that told of Cepko’s volunteerism.

“He has put in a whole lot of hours of volunteer time with a couple different fraternals and he deserved to be nominated,” Burns said.

There are 75 fraternal benefit societies, like Cepko’s, that are members of the National Fraternal Congress of America.

The National Fraternals group chooses five winners every week to receive the award, which gives them a chance to be drawn for a trip to Washington, D.C., and meet with their congressman.

“That would be so exciting to go to Washington because it’s a good time to have them fight for us and help our community,” said Cepko, who won for the week of Dec. 18.

The award program was started in May of this year and gives volunteers a chance to be recognized.

“It’s the recognition for the unsung heroes who give back to their community. They rarely get a pat on the back for what they do,” said spokesperson Rose Riccetti of the National Fraternal Congress of America.

But Cepko doesn’t volunteer for recognition.

“You just have to make the time and just the satisfaction that I’ve helped people throughout the year is enough for me,” said Cepko, whose volunteering has raised money for the Women’s Shelter in Bonita Springs and helping local churches. “It’s all about everybody working together for one common good.”