SAN ANTONIO – Texas Hermann Sons and its local lodges have been recognized by the National Fraternal Congress of America for their "Join Hands Day" program participation in 2007.

Twin Sisters Hermann Sons Lodge No. 138 was among the local Hermann Sons lodges along with the Grand Lodge in San Antonio that conducted "Join Hands Day" projects in June. In September, Hermann Sons received the Platinum Award in the NFCA's "Shining Stars for Join Hands Day" Program. The Platinum Award is the highest award given to fraternal benefit societies as part of the program that the NFCA conducts each year.

The award goes only to those fraternal benefit societies that achieve all four of the "Join Hands Day" criteria set forth in the program. Last year Hermann Sons was a Gold Award recipient.

The Join Hands Day program was launched in the year 2000. This national day of service to others joins adults and youth in projects that will improve life in their local communities.

“Since the beginning, Hermann Sons has been a leader in the Join Hands Day campaign,” Grand Vice President-Fraternal Lee Vogel said. “Each year since 2000 local lodge participation has increased and this year was no exception. I am very proud of all of the projects that were completed.”

For its project this year Twin Sisters Lodge members donated food and money to the Good Samaritan Center.

In urging the local lodges to start now to plan next year's event, Vogel said, "Service to the community is one of the most important things we do as fraternalists. Through events like these and all of the others that you and your members had a part in, you raised community awareness of Hermann Sons and the fraternal spirit of Friendship, Love and Loyalty that binds us together. You let people know that we are not just another life insurance company, we are a family oriented, community minded organization made up of people who care about one another and the cities and towns we live in.”

The Order of the Sons of Hermann in Texas is a non-profit fraternal benefit life insurance company. Two German immigrants from New York organized the first Hermann Sons Lodge (Harmonia) in San Antonio in 1861. The Grand Lodge was formed in 1890.

Widely known for its volunteerism and patriotism, Hermann Sons offers its members a variety of life insurance plans, annuity and IRA products plus other services. The more than 75,000 members belong to one of 143 local lodges across Texas and have access to a wide range of fraternal benefits including a youth camp and retirement home.