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 committee.
Recent Club Events
New Member at the ARC May member meeting
Abingdon Ruritan Club welcomed new member Jim Bradbury to membership at the May 11th Membership Meet…
Guest Speaker on Oysters
The guest speaker for the Abingdon Ruritan Club May Membership Meeting was Jim Dall, Secretary of th…
Ruritan National 98th Anniversary
The 98th Anniversary of Ruritan was observed Saturday, May 16th, at Holland, Virginia. It was …
Ruritan Sunday
Thirteen Abingdon Ruritan Club members celebrated Ruritan Sunday on May 17th at First Morning Star B…
Donation to American Legion Boy/Girl state Law Cadet Program
Abingdon Ruritan Club Donation. The Club donates to American Legion Post 75 each year to sponsor on…
Gloucester County Resource Guest Speaker
Reggie Rossignol, Chair of the Gloucester County Resource Council, was Guest Speaker at the April Ab…
Hunters for the Hungry Award
Hunters for the Hungry has recognized Abingdon Ruritan Club as one of their top supporters. Shown h…
Top Nonprofit of 2025
Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce has named the Abingdon Ruritan Club their 2025 Business Award …
Food Donation
Each month Abingdon Ruritan Club members bring food and other items to the month’s Membership …
Daffodil Festival Team Work
Abingdon Ruritan Club and Author Dave Bowles (who is also Vice President of the Club) shared a booth…
Sheriff’s Office Appreciation
The Abingdon Ruritan Club Public Service Committee stuffed 100 goody bags to take to the Gloucester …
ARC Food Donation
Abingdon Ruritan Club donates food, toiletries, and sometimes pet food to area Food Banks and Church…
Gloucester Emergency Management Guest Speaker
The Guest Speaker at the Abingdon Ruritan Club March Membership Meeting was Jane Wenner, Gloucester …
Girls and Boys Club Guest Speaker at January 2026 Meeting
Hal Smith, President & CEO of the Virginia Peninsula Boys & Girls Club, was guest speaker at…
New member at the ARC January Member Meeting
Abingdon Ruritan Club gained a new member at the January 12th Membership Meeting. Michele Beck…
New member at the ARC December Member Meeting
2025 Abingdon Ruritan Club President Dean Marzocca initiated new member Addison “A J” Brown into Clu…
Abingdon Ruritan Club Volunteer of the Year Award
Rose Marie Smith, President of the Guinea Heritage Association, was awarded the Abingdon Ruritan Clu…
K9 Program at ARC
At the Abingdon Ruritan Club November Membership Meeting, all were treated to a fantastic program.&n…
Ruritan Sunday

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
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