In January 1901, nine Czech Americans met at the local General Store in the small farming community of Ocker, Texas. They emerged from that meeting with a plan to protect each other from the financial disaster that could result if a fire or storm damaged their property. Their vision was about neighbors helping neighbors with the availability of affordable insurance. They realized that they could pool their resources to provide themselves with mutual assistance. On February 22, 1901, they formed Rolnický Vzájemně Ochranný Spolek Statu Texas (RVOS), a non-profit farm mutual insurance association, and their vision of neighbors helping neighbors was born. Farmers Mutual Protective Association of Texas, as RVOS became commonly known, is the American translation of the original Czech name. Over a hundred years later Sedan-Weimar RVOS #64 is still reaching out to the community and helping their neighbors. Just recently, on October 13, 2019 the membership voted to donate $100 to Turtle Wing Foundation while at their annual meeting. Turtle Wing Foundation’s mission is helping children with learning challenges in rural areas achieve their full potential. Turtle Wing will utilize these funds to help support programming such as Early Intervention, Supplemental Services and Community Education & Advocacy. Turtle Wing supports individuals and families primarily from Colorado, Fayette, and Lavaca counties with academic, social-emotional, behavioral and/or developmental needs. To learn more about Turtle Wing Foundation visit www.turtlewingfoundation.org or contact Managing Director, Susie Shank, at 979-505-5090.
Photo: (L-R) RVOS Secretary-Treasurer/Allen Hoelecher; TW Community Outreach Coordinator/Phyllis Fritsch; and Mrs. Allen Hoelscher (Jeannette).