The purpose of this committee is to monitor the service provided by governmental, corporate, and volunteer agencies and assist them when possible.
PUBLIC SERVICE
This committee must be aware of all public services
available in the community, be concerned with their efficient
operation and justified expansion, and work toward the establishment of additional services.
Community Awareness
Barbara Monteith, Senior Development Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, Southeastern Virginia Chapter, gave an emotional presentation on Monday, July 8, 20224 at the Abingdon Ruritan Club. She gave her personal story of her journey with her mother who suffered greatly with the disease. She encouraged Club members to participate in the October 5, 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s which will be kicked off in Gloucester starting at Botetourt Elementary School. Barbara is shown here with Carlos Britos, Chair of the Club Public Service Committee.
ARC PARTICIPATES WITH FISHING TOURNAMENT
SPONSORED BY
The Department of Wildlife Resources sponsored a “Kids Free Fishing Day”, for ages 5-15, at Beaverdam Park on Saturday, June 8. Several Conservation Police Officer led by Officer Roy Morris were on site to help the young anglers and brought fishing poles and bait for the 30 registered participants. The Abingdon Ruritan club’s Public Service Committee was on hand to provide lunch for the participants. A fun day was had by all and there were plenty of smiles to go around.
Pictured above is the cook team (L to R) Dianne Woolley, Ann Dugas, Eva Tillage, Abby Bowels and Betsy Tuttle.
From left to right: DWR CPO Samantha Romero, Retired Gloucester S.O. LT Paul Emanuele, DWR CPO Matthew Carpenter, DWR SGT Roy Morris, Retired Gloucester S.O. James Debaun, Kailee Morris, Colby Morris
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY
On June 4, 2024 The Abingdon Ruritan Club presented a donation to the Gloucester-Mathews Care Clinic in the amount of $2000.00
Presenting check is ARC Past-President and Memorial Chairman, Don Sandridge along with ARC Member and G-M Care Clinic Board Member, Dr. Andrea Crawford. Accepting the donation is Care Clinic Director of Development Maureen Crone, and Exec. Director Arlene Armentor. This annual Donation is in Honor and Memory of ARC member Grelinde Stevens.
GETTING INVOLVED
Abingdon Ruritan’s Public Service Committee, chaired by Carlos Bristos, organized a fun day at Abingdon Elementary School to have fun and give a book.
Each 3rd grade students were presented with their very own copy of “To the future of Benjamin Franklin!” from the Magic Tree House series.
Center picture, Abingdon Ruritan volunteers left to right; Don Sandridge, Carlos Bristos, Dianne Woolley and Julianna Woolley.
Contributing to our Community
Club representative Andrea Crawford, M.D., visited Bay Aging’s headquarters in Urbanna on July 20, 2023, to present the donation to the Bay Aging Foundation Board. The Club contributed $2,000 for Meals on Wheels, $1,000 for Bay Aging’s Active Lifestyle Centers, and $1,000 for the Gloucester Adult Day Care, for a grand total of $4,000. Pictured, from left: Ron Saunders, Stanley Clarke, Barbara Fentress, Jim Dudley, Andrea Crawford, M.D., Kathy Vesley, Jimmie Carter, Barry L. Gross, M.D.,
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Providing Support
On July 13, 2023, ARC’s Public Services Committee Chair Raven Cash presented checks to our surrounding community. (Left to right)
To Gloucester Volunteer Fire Dept & Rescue President Bruce Sole’s a $3000.00 donation; To Gloucester County Sherriff’s Department’s DARE Program a $500.00 donation to Officer Master Deputy Skay and Senior Deputy Johnson; To Gloucester County Parks & Recreation’s STAR Program a $2000.00 donation to supervisor, Ron Alston; To Gloucester County Sherriff’s Shop with a Cop Program, a $500.00 donation to Kyrstin Shackelford Co-Chair of SWAC.
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Helping our Humane Society
On July 13, 2023, the Gloucester – Matthews Humane Society was presented a donation of $1000.00 from the Abingdon Ruritan Club.(left to right) Public Services Committee Chair Raven Cash and Executive Director Charles Brown.
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Volunteering with our Youths
The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) hosted a youth fishing event on June 3, 2023 at Beaverdam Park in Gloucester. The event worked with 50 kids between the ages of 5-15. DWR provided loaner fishing rods for the kids to use during the event. Each kid received a new fishing pole donated by DWR. A K-9 officers was on site.
The ARC volunteer team above included from left to right Jhie Hale, Don Sciria, Sid Dugas, John Snyder, Raven Cash, Steve Brown, Julianna Woolley, Dianne Wooley, Betsy Tuttle, Ann Dugas and Roger Dick.
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Volunteering in the community 2023
The Public Service Committee led by chair, Raven Cash met at the Achilles Elementary School on May 12, 2023. Scholastic books were presented to each 3rd grade student. ARC members helped the students personalize their book and then the students were asked to look up different questions in the book.
Members of ARC in the above photo are Don Sciria, Jhie Hale, Raven Cash, Dianne Woolley and Julianna Woolley.
Public Service Chair, Raven Cash interacts with the students with their new books.
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Supporting our Community
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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. 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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Rudy Bear
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Ruritan clubs have been donating stuffed “Rudy Bears” to first responders for over 30 years, to help them comfort traumatized children. These cuddly teddy bears are used as a tremendous comfort aide for small children that may be present or involved in an accident or emergency situation. The Public Service Committee donates Rudy Bears to our Gloucester Rescue and Fire Departments regularly.
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