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.
RURITAN SUNDAY
This past weekend the Abingdon Ruritan Club celebrated Ruritan Sunday by attending a service at the Union Baptist Church in Hayes Va. Ruritan Sunday signifies the day of worship in honor of the thousands of dedicated people who have given of themselves to make the churches stronger and the communities better places in which to live and work.
Pictured from left to right in front row: Wanda Sprouse, Mary Lou Privott, Jhie Hale, Rose Taylor. Second row: Sandra Hogge, Janet Kyle, Danny Privott, Yvonne Scales, Dianne Woolley. Third row: Graham Blake, David Kyle, Rupert Thomas, Allen Scales, Julianna Woolley. Back row: John Foster and Rick Taylor
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GIVING TO OUR COMMUNITY
Abingdon Ruritan Club made a $1000 donation to Virginia Cooperative Extension Gloucester County Office on May 15, 2023. The donation will support 3 Gloucester County children to attend 4-H Camp this summer. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. The summer camp is an opportunity to further those skills. Mary Lou Privott, Past President of the Club, presented the check to Krista Gustafson, Extension Agent and Unit Coordinator for 4-H Youth Development.
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At the March Member meeting held on March 13, 2023 Chesapeake District Zone 4 Governor Donald Sandridge presented Abingdon Ruritan President Tony Dziadul with a Certificate of Appreciation from The Hunters for the Hungry program. The Abingdon Ruritan Club is and annual donator to the program.
Giving back to our Community:
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At the April 2023 monthly meeting the Abingdon Ruritan Club presented a donation to our local American Legion post. Adjutant Rick Ward, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 75, Gloucester, Virginia, accepted donations for Girls State, Boys State, and Youth Law Enforcement programs.
Presenting the checks to Rick Ward is ARC President Tony Dziadul.
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On April 10, 2023 the Abingdon Ruritan Club received an award from Ruritan Nation as “Top 3” Large Club for securing new members.
The award was presented to Club President Tony Dziadul by John Pendergraft Co-chair of the Citizenship Committee at the monthly meeting.
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On August 24, 2022 Abingdon Ruritan President Frank Gillerlain presented a check to Gloucester Housing Partnership. Present in the photo is From left to right is Bob Tschirhart (President), Eddie Washington (Vice President), Katie Bradley (Executive Director).
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Abingdon Ruritan President Frank Gillerlain presented a check to the Guest Program to Director Christie Askew on August 24, 2022.
Contributing to the Lewis Puller Center
On August 10, 2022 the Abingdon Ruritan Club made a $1000.00 donation to the Lewis Puller Center located on Main St in the Courthouse area of Gloucester. Club Vice President Mary Lou Shepherd presented the donation check to Mike Freeman a Supervisor at the Center.
Support to the Circle of Friends Foundation Inc.
On August 10, 2022 the Abingdon Ruritan Club presented a $1000.00 donation check to Circle Of Friends Foundation Inc. in Gloucester, Virginia. Accepting the check is Dr Joe Lombard, Jr. from Mary Lou Shepherd, Abingdon Ruritan Vice President.
Supporting the DARE Program
The Abingdon Ruritan Club made a $500 donation to Gloucester’s DARE Program.
We love our STAR Program.
The Abingdon Ruritan Club made a $2,000 donation to the Gloucester’s STAR Program. ARC Board member Mike Ekdahl presented the donation check to Stephnie Jenkins, a coordinator for the Gloucester STAR program. Also pictured is Billy Jenkins.
Supporting our Shop With A Cop Program
The Abingdon Ruritan Club made a $500 donation to Gloucester’s Shop With A Cop Program. ARC Board member Mike Ekdahl presented the donation check to Investigator Kyrstin Shackelford. The Shop With A Cop Program is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization created to assist children and families.
Donate to Gloucester Boys & Girls Club
Our local area Boys & Girls Club of Gloucester located in the Hayes Shopping Center was recently presented with a $1000.00 donation check from the Abingdon Ruritan Club. Aug. 2022
Supporting Walter Reed Hospic
The Abingdon Ruritan Club recently made a $2000.00 donation to the Walter Reed Hospice Care team located on Main St in Gloucester. Club Vice President Mary Lou Shepherd presented the check to Hospice Manager Brenda Scales. Aug. 2022
Giving to Rappahannock Community College for RAM
Dr. Chuck Harris of the Abingdon Ruritan Club presented a $500 donation to Dr. Rebecca White, Rappahannock Community College, to help support their initial start up for the Remote Area Medical (RAM) effort. RAM is a non-profit organization that provides free dental, vision, and medical services to area residents.
Giving to the Habitat Restore
Giving to the Giving Garden
The Abingdon Ruritan’s wholeheartedly agree with this worthy cause and are glad to be proud sponsors of Helping Cancer Patients. Presenting the check is Vice President Mary Lou Shepherd and Dianna Woolley to Karen Fary, Director of the Foundation.
Giving To our Gloucester Parks & Rec
Gregg Tonge, Superintendent of Parks, Gloucester County was presented with a $1000 donation by Vice President Mary Lou Shepherd, for Woodville Park Projects.
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The Guinea Heritage Association receives ARC Donation
The Abingdon Ruritan Club made a $1000.00 donation to the Guinea Heritage Association on June 18, 2022. The donation was presented to the GHA at Buck’s Country Store and cultural ‘museum’ located on Guinea Road.
The Guinea Heritage Association (GHA), established in 1995, celebrates the people and traditions of a unique area of Gloucester County, Virginia, renowned for the men and women who work on the water. The GHA focuses on charitable and educational purposes, including, the preservation of the history and culture of the community of Guinea.
The Abingdon Ruritans cultural committee embraces these local diverse cultures and backgrounds which make our Virginia County such a wonderful place to live. Preserving these cultures from our past are a top priority.
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RURITAN SUNDAY
Ruritan Sunday is a day of worship in honor of those persons who have given of themselves to make the churches stronger and the communities a better places in which to live and work.
Abingdon Ruritan members observed Ruritan Sunday at the Abingdon Episcopal Church on May 22nd . Abingdon Ruritan members are shown below with Rev Jen Kimball, center front.
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CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
The Abingdon Ruritan Club donated $500 to support BAYSTARS FC to help promote the positive attitude of youth level sports in our Community.
The Baystars FC is dedicated to the development of youth soccer players across the Middle Peninsula since 1987. The Baystars mission is to maximize each child’s soccer skill, knowledge, and ability through a positive, engaging, and challenging atmosphere. The Baystars also wants to be the leader for soccer on the middle peninsula though its youth development, coaching, and partnerships with collegiate and professional organizations. Games are currently played at Woodville Park.
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VP Mary Lou is shown presenting a check for $1000 to Krista Gustafson, Gloucester Extension Agent for 4-H
Youth Development. The check will be used to send 4 Gloucester County kids to 4-H Camp this summer.
Donation was an approved item in the 2022 Donations Budget.
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Abingdon Ruritan Club
marks 65th anniversary
The Abingdon Ruritan Club celebrated its 65th anniversary with a special program during its October membership meeting.
