SPJST Celebrates 125 Years of Fraternalism in 2022

The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas (Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas) was founded by Texas pioneers of Czech descent in 1897. Its watchwords are Benevolence, Humanity, and Brotherhood. In 2022, we observe the 125th anniversary of the founding of SPJST. We celebrate not just for being old, but for being vibrant — alive with the same energy, spirit, and promise that filled the Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange, Texas, on December 28, 1896, when 25 Texans of Czech descent met to organize a new fraternal benefit society.
Going forward, the success of SPJST depends on our continued ability to achieve our fraternal, sales, and investment objectives. Too, it’s important that we stay true to our mission, which is, “To provide a wholesome family environment; to encourage cherished Czech traditions; and to provide high quality, competitive life insurance for our members.” With assets of approximately $255 million, SPJST continues to fulfill its financial obligations to its members and keep pace with the life insurance industry. The Society offers its members an extensive menu of life insurance options, including annuities and IRAs.
In 2022, there are more than 38,000 SPJST members in 102 lodges throughout Texas. Local lodges sponsor a wide range of family-oriented activities, including community service projects and recreational activities. SPJST recognizes the opportunity that it has to make a positive difference in the lives of its young people. In 2022, SPJST awarded 43 $1,000 scholarships to deserving high school seniors and college undergraduates. Since the program’s inception, we’ve presented approximately 2,600 scholarships for more than $2 million. In the pre-Covid year of 2019, SPJST members devoted more than 50,000 service hours to their communities. SPJST also gave approximately $250,000 to deserving service organizations in 2019. They are taking the best that SPJST has to offer — a tradition of helping people to care for their families — and are extending these values to their communities.

Thank You for Celebrating With Us on Saturday, October 15!

SPJST celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) Heritage Fest in La Grange. SPJST’s roots run deep in Fayette County. The event was held in conjunction with TCHCC’s 25th anniversary. TCHCC is located at 250 West Fairgrounds Road in La Grange, Texas.

125 PRIZES for 125 YEARS

Drawing was held on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 2 p.m. and is available to view on SPJST’s Facebook page.

Congratulations to ALL of the winners of our 125th Anniversary Raffle Drawing! Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets!

Winners of the raffle are listed below. We will be contacting winners soon with how you can receive your prize.

Final 125 Prize List

  1. Enameled Cast Iron 7-Quart Dutch Oven – donated by Lodge 4, Hallettsville
  2. 10 Piece Oil-Rubbed Bronze LED Solar Path Lights – donated by Lodge 151, Wharton
  3. $50 Best Buy Gift Card – donated by Samuel Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  4. $50 Amazon Gift Card – donated by Samuel Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  5. $50 Michaels Gift Card – donated by Stephanie Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  6. $50 Amazon Gift Card – donated by Stephanie Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  7. $50 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card – donated by Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  8. $50 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card – donated by Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  9. $50 Red Lobster Gift Card – donated by Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  10. $50 Chili’s/Fresh Choices Gift Card – donated by Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  11. $50 The Home Depot Gift Card – donated by Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  12. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone
  13. Wine Basket – donated by Bradley Stavinoha of Lodge 81, Needville
  14. Slivovice Basket – donated by Lodge 81, Needville
  15. Bissell Revolution Pet Pro Deep Cleaner – donated by Carolyn Beseda of Lodge 88, Houston
  16. 32-Inch Giant Stuffed Peeps Plush Bunny – donated by Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point
  17. $50 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card – donated by Lodge 9, Snook
  18. $50 Longhorn Steakhouse Gift Card – donated by Lodge 9, Snook
  19. Custom 125th Anniversary Laundry Bag/Laundry Goodie Basket – donated by District Five Youth and Lodge 17, New Tabor
  20. $50 Visa Gift Card – donated by Delisle Doherty of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  21. Gourmia Digital Air Fryer – donated by Delisle Doherty of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  22. Ozark Trail Utility Cart – donated by Delisle Doherty of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  23. Copper Fit Massage Gun – donated by Delisle Doherty of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  24. Ninja Fit – donated by Delisle Doherty of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  25. Keurig K-Express – donated by Delisle Doherty of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  26. $50 Academy Sports + Outdoors Gift Card – donated by SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton
  27. EcoEdge Waterproof Bluetooth LED Lit Speaker – donated by Janice Jahns of Lodge 88, Houston
  28. $50 Olive Garden Gift Card – donated by Janice Jahns of Lodge 88, Houston
  29. Oster Party Blender  – donated by Marjorie Bouska White of Lodge 135, Ennis
  30. $50 Red Lobster Gift Card  – donated by Marjorie Bouska White of Lodge 135, Ennis
  31. $50 H-E-B Gift Card – donated by Lodge 35, Elk
  32. $50 Walmart/Sam’s Club Gift Card – donated by Lodge 97, Placedo
  33. Hamilton Beach Rapid Cold Brew & Hot Coffee Maker – donated by Lodge 32, Victoria
  34. EcoEdge Waterproof Bluetooth LED Lit Speaker – donated by Lodge 32, Victoria
  35. $50 Visa Gift Card – donated by Lodge 32, Victoria
  36. Enameled Cast Iron 7 Qt Dutch Oven – donated by Lodge 32, Victoria
  37. Zipperless AZ Pro Cooler – donated by Lodge 32, Victoria
  38. Handmade Doll from Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic – donated by Gay Revel of Lodge 97, Placedo
  39. Pre-Lit 32-inch Evergreen Wreath – donated by Lodge 133, San Antonio
  40. $50 Michaels Gift Card – donated by Lodge 133, San Antonio
  41. Magnetic Plug-in Wireless Charger – donated by Lodge 133, San Antonio
  42. $50 Darden Restaurant Gift Card (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52) – donated by Lodge 133, San Antonio
  43. Hamilton Beach Rapid Cold Brew & Hot Coffee Maker – donated by Regina House of Lodge 202, Jourdanton
  44. $50 Go Enjoy Restaurant Gift Card (Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Outback Steakhouse, Regal) – donated by Regina House of Lodge 202, Jourdanton
  45. TornadoAlert Severe Weather Detector – donated by Bobby Davis of Lodge 160, San Angelo
  46. Pre-Lit 32-inch Evergreen Wreath – donated by Lodge 4, Hallettsville
  47. $50 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Panda Express, Sonic, Subway)  – donated by Lodge 4, Hallettsville and Regina House of Lodge 202, Jourdanton
  48. $50 Red Lobster Gift Card – Lodge 80, Holland
  49. Dallas Cowboys Zero Gravity Lounger – donated by Lodge 80, Holland
  50. $50 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card – Lodge 80, Holland and Lynda and Larry Plunk of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  51. $50 Go Enjoy Restaurant Gift Card (Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Outback Steakhouse, Regal) – donated by Lodge 88, Houston
  52. $50 Go Eat Restaurant Gift Card (The Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Panera Bread, Red Lobster) – donated by Lodge 88, Houston
  53. Zipperless AZ Pro Cooler – donated by Larry W. Pflughaupt Family of Lodge 88, Houston
  54. $50 Longhorn Steakhouse Gift Card – donated by Larry W. Pflughaupt Family of Lodge 88, Houston
  55. 4 Jerry Haisler and the Melody 5 CDs – donated by Jerry and Helen Haisler of Lodge 47, Seaton
  56. $50 Walmart/Sam’s Club Gift Card – donated by Leonard and Dorothy Mikeska of Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy
  57. $50 Walmart/Sam’s Gift Card – donated by Leonard and Dorothy Mikeska of Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy
  58. $50 Walmart/Sam’s Gift Card – donated by Leonard and Dorothy Mikeska of Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy
  59. $50 IHOP Gift Card – donated by Lodge 28, East Bernard
  60. $50 Red Lobster Gift Card – donated by Albin and Elaine Machu of Lodge 29, Taylor
  61. Dallas Cowboys Zero Gravity Lounger – donated by RVOS
  62. $50 Cabela’s Gift Card – donated by RVOS
  63. $50 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card – donated by RVOS
  64. $50 Lowe’s Gift Card – donated by RVOS
  65. $50 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card – donated by RVOS
  66. $50 Starbucks Gift Card – donated by Gayenell Chudej and Marlyn Sevcik of Lodge 4, Hallettsville
  67. Basket of Peanut Goodies (gal. of peanut brittle, gal. of jalapeno peanut brittle, etc.) – donated by Lodge 107, Floresville
  68. $50 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Sonic, Subway, Wendy’s) – donated by Lodge 187, Round Rock
  69. $50 Olive Garden Gift Card – donated by Karen Kaspar of Lodge 30, Taiton
  70. $50 Michaels Gift Card – donated by Karen Kaspar of Lodge 30, Taiton
  71. $50 Applebee’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 141, Port Lavaca
  72. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lynda and Larry Plunk of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  73. $50 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Jersey Mike’s, Panda Express, Sonic) – donated by Lynda and Larry Plunk of Lodge 196, Houston-West
  74. $50 Darden Restaurant Gift Card (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52) – donated by Lodge 8, Weimer
  75. $50 Cabela’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 6, Cottonwood
  76. $50 Michaels Gift Card – donated by Lodge 6, Cottonwood
  77. $50 Go Eat Restaurant Gift Card (The Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Panera Bread, Red Lobster) – donated by Lodge 6, Cottonwood
  78. $50 Buffalo Wild Wings Gift Card – donated by Lodge 6, Cottonwood
  79. 3-in-1 Sport Center – donated by Lodge 6, Cottonwood Youth Club
  80. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  81. $50 Starbucks Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  82. $50 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  83. $50 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Jersey Mike’s, Sonic, Wendy’s) – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  84. $50 Applebee’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  85. $50 Lowes’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  86. $50 Texas Roadhouse Gift Card and $50 Jimmy John’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  87. $50 Michaels Gift Card and $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lodge 66, Waco
  88. $50 Walmart/Sam’s Club Gift Card – donated by Lodge 79, Corpus Christi
  89. $50 Cookie Dough plus delivery or shipping within USA – donated by Cookies by Design, Annie and Philip Vahalik of Lodge 4, Hallettsville
  90. 5 Vrazels’ Polka Band CDs – donated by Alfred and Bernice Vrazel
  91. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Patsy and Helen Zabransky of Lodge 4, Hallettsville
  92. $50 Darden Restaurant Gift Card (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52) – donated by Henry and Sandra Mayo of Lodge 189, Bryan-College Station
  93. The Pioneer Woman Collection Set (basket set, serving tray, canister set, plush throw) – donated by David and Melanie Zavodny Nauert of Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point
  94. Patriotic Mickey and Minnie door greeters, mini Mickey and Minnie, America-opoly game – donated by David and Melanie Zavodny Nauert of Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point
  95. Chemical Guys Car Care Kit and Towels – donated by David and Melanie Zavodny Nauert of Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point
  96. 6 Tickets to a Houston Astros Baseball Game – donated by Lodge 185, New Braunfels
  97. 6 Tickets to a Houston Astros Baseball Game – donated by Lodge 185, New Braunfels
  98. $50 Olive Garden Gift Card – donated by Lodge 84, Dallas
  99. $50 Lowe’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 84, Dallas
  100. $50 Academy Sports + Outdoors Gift Card – donated by Lodge 84, Dallas
  101. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lodge 84, Dallas
  102. $50 The Home Depot Gift Card – donated by Lodge 84, Dallas
  103. $50 Darden Restaurant Gift Card (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52) – donated by Lodge 29, Taylor
  104. $75 Academy Sports + Outdoors Gift Card – donated by Lodge 29, Taylor
  105. Handmade Wooden Cross – donated by Jesse and Linda Pospisil of Lodge 29, Taylor
  106. $50 Visa Gift Card – donated by Lodge 25, Ennis
  107. $50 Lowe’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 17, New Tabor
  108. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lodge 17, New Tabor
  109. $50 H-E-B Gift Card – donated by Lodge 35, Elk
  110. $50 Go Enjoy Restaurant Gift Card (Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Outback Steakhouse, Regal) – donated by Lodge 30, Taiton
  111. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lodge 30, Taiton Youth Club
  112. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lisa Bubela of Lodge 30, Taiton
  113. 1897 Silver Dollar Coin – donated by Roy Vajdak of Lodge 88, Houston
  114. $50 Lowe’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 38, Kovar
  115. $50 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Jersey Mike’s, Sonic, Wendy’s) – donated by Lodge 38, Kovar
  116. $50 Go Eat Restaurant Gift Card (The Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Panera Bread, Red Lobster) – donated by Lodge 91, San Jacinto
  117. $50 Visa Gift Card – donated by Lodge 142, Houston
  118. $50 Visa Gift Card – donated by Lodge 142, Houston
  119. $50 Lowe’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 189, Bryan-College Station
  120. $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card – donated by Lodge 139, Danbury
  121. $50 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Panda Express, Sonic, Subway) – donated by Lodge 139, Danbury
  122. $50 Lowe’s Gift Card – donated by Lodge 139, Danbury and Lodge 189, Bryan-College Station
  123. PowerXL Grill Air Fryer Combo 12-in-1 – donated by Lynda Novak – SPJST Sales Agent Dallas
  124. $100 Restaurant Gift Card Bundle (Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Mix It Up – Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky’s) – donated by Lodge 154, Fort Worth
  125. $50 Chick-fil-A Gift Card and $50 Walmart/Sam’s Club Gift Card – donated by Lodge 154, Fort Worth