Stacy Klukan, member of Branch 1425, Ford City, PA, has
been named LCBA’s 2020 Fraternalist of the Year!
With so many LCBA members doing great things we received a lot of deserving nominees, but after careful
consideration by our judges, LCBA is proud to announce Stacy Klukan of Branch 1425 in Ford City, PA as our
winner! We would like to congratulate her on this award and recognize her amazing contributions to her
community. Continue reading to learn more about Stacy through the words of her nominator
Society Leadership
Stacy is on the Funeral Bereavement Committee at Christ Prince of Peace Parish. This is a very involved
service, as one might imagine, and she does an amazing job.
She is also the chairwoman of the Ford City Borough Shade Tree Commission. Stacy has been involved
with this commission for over 20 years. They volunteer hundreds of hours every year to sustain
both the Ford City Park and the Ford City Trail. Through their efforts, this group has been able to
continually improve the beauty and safety of the park and trail by cutting down dangerous trees and
planting new ones to preserve areas where people can safely walk, enjoy nature, and breathe clean air.
She has coordinated their efforts with the local high school LEO club and National Honor Society students
to perform an annual park and trail clean up, not only hosting Earth Day activities, but also assisting
the local Lions Club with their annual Easter egg hunt held in the park. Thanks to her efforts, Stacy
was a grant recipient in 2020 for Bare Root Trees from the Tree Vitalization of Pittsburgh.
Stacy has contributed many ideas for LCBA fundraising ventures as well as having researched educational
field trips and federal speakers for our branch. This year she volunteers to initiate a Valentine’s Day
card sending activity to all parish shut-ins and, with one other LCBA member, purchased the cards and
stamps with her own money and sent out cards to over 80 shut-ins. Her willingness to help others in
her parish and community are evident in almost everything she undertakes.
Service to Others
Stacy volunteers her time in a variety of areas. Recently retired from the Armstrong School District
where she served as a Health, Physical Education, and Drivers Education teacher and a varsity tennis
and junior high volley ball coach, she now utilizes her talents in the community.
Stacy is a talented florist, creating many floral arrangements for our parish as well as for many
young girls attending prom and other special events. She has led the Arts and Environment group
in decorating at multiple churches, and she created a Blessed Mother Garden for Christ Prince of Peace
Parish a few times. Having completed the Penn State Master Gardener program for Armstrong County,
Stacy has volunteered hundreds of hours teaching about garden care and management as well as
facilitating the Master Gardener class last year for Penn State at Armstrong County. Besides currently
chairing the Ford City Shade Tree Commission, she has been on the Parks and Recreation board
in Ford City for over 20 years where she has coordinated many safety programs. This board also
provides summer food park programs feeding local children ages 2-18 and presents safety programs
sponsored by the Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission for our youth. Stacy
has coordinated and worked with the Parks and Recreation group in getting the FIT TRAILS stations
established in our town, coordinated the 13th Street project grant for improving the trail, and organized
volunteers to place the pavilion and bike repair stations as well.
Also a talented vocalist, Stacy has been singing in Catholic churches since the age of 12, both as a
cantor and choir member, and has sung for many church weddings and funerals. She has been
involved in the Ford City Heritage Days choir and has sung at many Heritage Days events.
Stacy has served on fundraising committees for Heritage Days and set a wonderful example to her
children by serving on the Divine Redeemer School Board of Directors. This is worth mentioning because
her son now sits on that same Board in addition to being the President of the Ford City Borough Council.
She has served on the YMCA Board of Directors for 5 years, as well as teaching aerobics, aerobic dance,
weight training, and swimming.
Stacy has quite an impressive roster of achievements!
Innovative Leadership
lmost everything listed in the previous section speaks to Stacy's innovation as a leader in seeing a
need and creating a program to address the issues in her community. Doing the legwork to apply for
grants to enhance the trees project, or the variety of park projects and programs is no easy task. Her
dedication to her community and her church is evident in the fact that she has been active on many
of these boards and committees for over 20 years! Maintaining our park, trails, and playgrounds is a
never-ending job and involves countless volunteer hours and a lot of manpower. Stacy is obviously
up to all of these challenges by serving in such a variety of capacities over these many years. From
creating a Valentine card for shut-ins event for LCBA to coordinating with multiple local and school
organizations to partner in completing a project for the betterment or our community, Stacy has been
(and continues to be) in the forefront of making the world a better place. She even established a choir at
Holy Trinity Church (before the parishes partnered) and took over the directorship to keep the choir
going. When she sees a need she addresses it. And thanks to her children are being fed, the bereaved
are being consoled, community members are safe in our parks and on our trails and our town is made
more beautiful. Stacy utilizes her talents in the best way possible-by helping others. We are blessed to
have her in our community!
