WHO ARE THE RURITANS?
We are a group of community minded citizens joining together to meet community needs while embracing the Ruritan motto of Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service.
What do we do?
Ruritan’s purpose is to create a better understanding among people, and, through volunteer community service, make America’s communities better places in which to live, work, and raise families. Club membership represents a cross-section of the community in which the club serves and is not restrictive with regard to occupation, social-position, or any other specific criteria. We do this by organizing ourselves into several Community Service Committees, each with specific areas of interest. Every club member serves on one or more committees.
Helping Others
DONATIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY
Don Sandridge, a Past President, presents a check for $500 to the Woodville School Foundation on behalf of the Abingdon Ruritan Club
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The Abingdon Ruritan Club is proud to support the Circle of Friends Foundation led by Dr. Joe Lombard. Club Past President Mary Lou Privott along with Past National President Danny Privott were on hand to present a $1000.00 check on July 11, 2024.
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Riverside Walter Reed Hospice Agency Manager Sarah Thomas, CHPN, accepts $3000.00 donation from Abingdon Ruritan Club member Donald Sandridge!
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Abingdon Fire and Rescue treasurer, Gail MClain was presented a $4000.00 donation check by the Abingdon Ruritan Club on July 10, 2024. Club Past President Mary Lou Privott along with Past National President Danny Privott were all smiles making the presentation.
Photo Dean Marzocca
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On July 10, 2024 Abingdon Ruritan Club members Club Past President Mary Lou Privott along with Past National President Danny Privott met with James Luck at the Boy and Girls Club in Hayes, VA. Mr. Luck was very grateful to receive a $3000.00 donation which will help offset the daily operating expenses.
Photo Dean Marzocca
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On July 10th two members of the Abingdon Ruritan Club, Mary Lou and Danny Privott met with Bruce Soles, President of the Gloucester Fire & Rescue located on Main Street. Mr. Soles was presented with a $4000.00 donation check which will be put towards the new building fund and general operating expenses.
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Karin Garner of the Giving Garden Foundation is shown receiving a $3000 check from Mary Lou Privott, Past President, Abingdon Ruritan Club. The Foundation provides financial assistance to cancer patients residing in Gloucester and Mathews.
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The Abingdon Ruritan Club recently presented a donation check in the amount of $1000.00 to Gloucester Matthews Humane Society. Emestene Broun, Front Desk and Receptionist accepted the check.
Club members Club Past President Mary Lou Privott and past National President Danny Privott had the honors of presenting the donation check.
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Ruritan Sunday
Each year on a Sunday during May, Ruritan clubs nationwide observe the civic group’s founding.
Members are invited to attend worship service together, usually at a member’s church.
Abingdon Ruritan Club worshipped with Union Baptist Church (UBC) on May 19, 2024. Pictures are members and spouses who attended. The service was conducted by the UBC Youth and was very inspirational. Our group then went to Nick’s Spaghetti & Steak House afterwards for lunch.
Ruritan Sunday
“Except for my family and church, Ruritan is most important to me.”
This expression is heard frequently when Ruritans meet and reflects the kind of persons that make up the membership of Ruritan Clubs. Most are solid citizens with deep religious convictions. When Ruritan started in Holland, Virginia on May 21, 1928, the leaders of that small community gathered with the hope that the fellowship at the monthly evening meal would lead to a spirit of goodwill between the “town folk” and the farmers; i.e. urban and rural. The motto, “Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service” indicates a growth in the concept of the club purpose that caused its ideal to grow from the original fellowship to become the most active civic service organization in America in terms of service to the community.
Much of the community service provided by Ruritan Clubs
during their history has benefited churches; particularly small and beginning churches.
It is appropriate, therefore, that this day of worship be designated as “Ruritan Sunday” in honor of these thousands of dedicated persons who have given of themselves to make the churches stronger and the communities better places in which to live and
work.
CREATING THRIVING COMMUNITIES
ACROSS AMERICA
On Ruritan Sunday, May 19th 2024, we also pause to remember our members who passed this year:
ARC members will meet at Union Baptist Church 9254 Guinea Rd, Hayes, VA 23072 ·
Recognizing Our Members
At the Abingdon Ruritan May Membership Meeting, President Rick Scott presented perfect attends pins to 45 members from 1 year to 59 years as shown in this photograph. Graham Blake is the member with 59 years of perfect attendance. The years of service for these members totaled 784 years.
Recognizing our Ruritan Commitments
President Tony presented awards to three individuals for their excellence:
First Award was to Rachel Wells for her life long years of volunteering. Due to
illness, Rachel was not able to attend, but her husband, LT, accepted for her.
Second Award was to Raven Cash for Rookie of the year, she chaired the Public Service Committee
which received Gold Recognition at the Chesapeake District Convention.
Third Award was to Scott Olmsted, who received a standing ovation when
this award was announced. He is the recipient of the ARC Ruritan of
the Year Award.
Listening to Our Community
At the February monthly meeting of the Abingdon Ruritan Club attending members and guests were treated to a wonderful presentation by Thane Harpole. Thane is the Co-Director of the Fairfield Foundation since its founding in 2000. He spoke primarily on the Catlett House and the efforts that have been undertaken to preserve it. His talk captured the fascinating history of early settlers in Gloucester County.
Pictured (right) are Guest Speaker Thane Harpole with Abingdon Ruritan Club Programs Chair Mary Lou Privott.
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January Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker Johnny Moore (right) with ARC President Rick Scott (left)
The speaker at the Abingdon Ruritan Club January Membership Meeting was Johnny Moore, Governor of the Ruritan Chesapeake District. He is a Pharmacist who worked for Kmart Pharmacy 30 years during which time he became District Manager covering Virginia and parts of North Carolina and West Virginia. He has received numerous awards throughout his career and has always been willing to “give back” to his profession by helping others. He volunteers as a Pharmacist for the Cheryl Watson Free Clinic for Hanover residents. He is also a member of the Medical Reserve Corps where he helped at many of the COVID vaccine clinics. Photo: President Rick Scott and Johnny Moore.
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Thanking our Volunteers
Rachel was recognized as the Abingdon Ruritan Club Volunteer of the Year 2023. She accepted her plaque at the February Membership Meeting from the 2023 President, Tony Dziadul. She has volunteered at every Abingdon Ruritan Club Seafood Festival since the beginning. In addition, she has participated in many functions of the Club, to include the Children’s Christmas Party and other major events. Thank you, Rachel, and wishing you many more years to come.
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