Richard Tobin Benevolence Awards
Each year, Catholic Order of Foresters’ top 20 agents earn Richard Tobin Benevolence Awards. These awards, established in 2006, are made possible through Catholic Order of Foresters’ Welfare and Relief Fund. The late High Chief Ranger Richard Tobin created this fund to allocate money for fraternal good. Each agent who earns a Richard Tobin Benevolence Award chooses a Catholic organization to receive the $500 donation – schools, religious groups, pro-life causes and more from around the country have been named as recipients. To date, $143,500 has been donated to local and/or Catholic organizations as a result of these awards.
AWARDED IN 2025
Alicia Binsfeld
Agent Alicia Binsfeld, left, presents a Richard Tobin Award check to Kristie Harren, right, principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Freeport, Minnesota.
Andrew Isbell
Agent Andrew Isbell of Illinois, left, donated to Sacred Tent, a Catholic Worker House of Hospitality in Illinois for individuals without shelter.
Nick Baier, right, and his wife, Toni, run Sacred Tent, and they accepted the check.
Brian Marketon
General Agent Brian Marketon of Minnesota, pictured here with the Rev. Matthew Wiering, donated half of the proceeds from his award to Holy Trinity School in Winsted.
Brian Marketon
General Agent Brian Marketon of Minnesota donated half of the proceeds from his award to St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy in Delano.
Principal Bridget Schultz accepted the check.
Ernesto Literte
Agent Ernesto Literte, right, pictured here with the Rev. Joel Aquino, donated the proceeds from his Richard Tobin Benevolence Award to PACEM Missionaries.
Gabe Kennedy
Agent Gabe Kennedy, right, pictured here with the Rev. Octavio Muguerza and Deacon Larry Lindsey, donated to Church of the Good Shepherd, in Schertz, Texas.
Gabe said he has “always felt welcome” there after three years as a parishioner.
Gene Retka
Agent Gene Retka of Minnesota donated to Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls.
The Rev. Benjamin Kociemba, pastor of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community, accepted the check on behalf of the parish.
Larry Feldt
Agent Larry Feldt donated to St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic School in Long Prairie, Minnesota.
Mark Hehman
Meet two incredible brothers, John and Mark Hehman. John, left, works with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Covington, while Mark, right, is an agent with Catholic Order of Foresters.
Mark presented a $500 donation to support Catholic Charities’ Parish Kitchen multipurpose building.
Paul Engler
Agent Paul Engler, left, donated the proceeds from his Richard Tobin Benevolence Award to Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville, Iowa.
Beckman’s principal, Marcel Kielkucki, accepted the check on the school’s behalf.
Rich Oligmueller
General Agent Richard Oligmueller, center right, donated to the St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund in Remsen, Iowa.
Rob McKay
Agent Rob McKay, right, donated to Fiat Classical Academy, a Catholic high school in Aurora, Indiana.
Here, he presents the check to Brad Macke, the school’s president.
Roger Bockweg
Agent Roger Bockweg of Kentucky donated to Friends of the Rose Garden Home Mission, which financially assists the Franciscan Daughters of Mary in their work of providing assistance, hope, and dignity to the poor of Covington.
Mother Seraphina Marie accepted the check.
Ryan Maschmeyer
Agent Ryan Maschmeyer donated to the mission trip group at St. Timothy Church in Union, Kentucky, which traveled to Jamaica over the summer. St. Timothy is Ryan’s home parish.
Tom Kaelin
General Agent Tom Kaelin donated the proceeds from his Richard Tobin Benevolence Award to the Congregation of Divine Providence, a community of Catholic religious sisters in Melbourne, Kentucky.
He and his wife, Caroline, presented the check to Sister Emerita McGann from St. Anne Convent.
Please note, not every winner is listed above. Agents David Leighton, Shannon Wartman, Holly Schweitzer, Kelly Mauer, and Young Tran were also given Richard Tobin Awards in 2024!