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.
SUPPORTING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) recognizes this each year with a monetary donation to the Abingdon Fire & Rescue and to the Gloucester Fire & Rescue. The first photograph shows Mary Lou Privott, ARC Past President, presenting a donation check for $5000 to Heather Eason, Business Manager, Abingdon Fire & Rescue. The second photograph shows Danny Privott, 2017 Ruritan National President and currently Chaplain of ARC presenting a $5000 donation check to Burce Soles, President of the Gloucester Fire & Rescue. Also in the photo is W. L. Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief.
Partners with Guinea Heritage Association
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) Partners with Guinea Heritage Association which was established in 1995 and celebrates the people and traditions of a unique area of Gloucester County, Virginia, renowned for men and women who work on the water. Shown below is Mary Lou Privott, ARC Past President, presenting Guinea Heritage President Rose Marie Smith with a $1000 donation check. Shown also are five Board Members: Virginia Snowden, L. T. Wells, Sharon Zuber, and Rupert Thomas. Other Board Members not available are Nicholas Bonniville, Ed Ewell, J. Wayne Hall, and Hamilton Williams.
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) supports Habitat for Humanity Restore. Danny Privott, 2017 National Ruritan President and current Chaplain for ARC, was honored to present a donation check for $1500 to this organization. The check was accepted by Carrie Fracasse, President of the Gloucester Board and Mike Davis, a member of the Board.
HELPING FIGHT CANCER
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) fights cancer. For example, there is a small hut located adjacent to the back parking lot at the Club. Club members and others deposit aluminum cans for recycling. Club member Allen Scale empties the hut at least twice a month and carries the cans to the Gloucester Area Recycling Center located at the Gloucester Moose Lodge for ultimate transport to the Recycling Center in Hampton, Virginia. The money from the recycling is given to the Gloucester Giving Garden Foundation which provides financial assistance to cancer patients who reside in Gloucester or Mathews County. In addition, ARC gives an annual $3000 monetary donation to the Foundation. Shown in the photo below is Allen Scales presenting the check to Foundation member Heather P. Smith in front of the hut.
GIRLS AND BOYS CLUB CONTINUOUS SUPPORT
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) is a strong supporter of the Gloucester Boys & Girls Club. Located at 7066 Hayes Shopping Center, it is a beacon of support for the local youth community. It provides a safe haven to grow, learn, and explore exciting opportunities. In the photograph, Danny Privott, 2017 Ruritan National President and currently Chaplain of ARC is shown presenting a $4000 donation check to James Luck, Manager of the Boys & Girls Club. As a footnote, James has grown this organization into one of the premier Boys & Girls Club in the nation. He knows how to lead, is highly energetic, and is loved by the youth.
SUPPORTING FOOD PANTRY
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) supports the Union Baptist Church Food Pantry. Shown in the photograph is Mary Lou Privott, ARC Past President, presenting a check for $1000 to AB Fulcher, Union’s long-time Manager of their Food Pantry. Shown also are Becky Jenkins and Donna Green two of his assistants.
DOLLY PARDON IMAGINATION SUPPORT
The ARC supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a world-wide effort to ensure children from the cradle to age 5 are provided books each month to give them a strong basis for life-long literacy. Marsha Weatherwax, ARC member, shown presenting a $500 check to Kyle DeGood. Marsha was one of the major pioneers in Gloucester on the Library Project. Also in the picture is Mary Lou Privott.
SUPPORTING OUR YOUTHS
Abingdon Ruritan Club (ARC) Supports Cub Scouts. Danny Privott, past National President and current member of ARC is shown presenting a $500 donation check to Walter Priest, liaison between Cub Scout Pack 133 and the Ruritan Club. This is but one way the Club supports Pack 133.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS SUPPORT
Abingdon (ARC) Supports Circle of Friends. Mary Lou Privott, Past President of ARC, is shown presenting a $1000 donation check to Dr. Joe Lombard in support of the Circle of Friends. This organization consists of individuals who work together in a low-key way to help people in need.
ARC MEMBERS MEET ON RURITAN SUNDAY
This past Sunday, May 18th, was the annual “Ruritan Sunday” throughout all Ruritan Clubs and Districts. Abingdon Ruritan Club participated by attending the morning spiritual service at Union Baptist Church, conducted by Pastor Jarod Berry. The photo shows members, spouses/significant others who attended: Tony & Elena Dziadul, Danny & Mary Lou Privott, L T & Rachel Wells, Dave & Janet Kyle, Rick & Rose Taylor, Allen & Yvonne Scales, Walter & Barbara Priest, Rupert & Cheryl Thomas, John & Pam Foster, Doug Johnson, Wanda Sprouse, John Snyder, Dick Beasley, and Joe Whitcomb. Not shown are Graham & Sue Blake. After the service the group continued fellowship at Nick’s Spaghetti & Steak House with a tasty meal.
RECONIZING OUR OWN
At the April Abingdon Ruritan Club membership meeting, Jon Beck, a Club Member with 56 years of devoted service, became an Honorary Member. He was recognized for serving as Club President twice. He also is recognized for being one of the “Magnificent Seven” who began the Seafood Festivals. When the Club building was under construction, Jon donated thousands of dollars’ worth of materials and countless hours doing the electrical wiring. In addition, his dedication to the Shriners and his help in his hometown in Maine to establish a successful fish fry are indicative of his Ruritan spirit and has brought great credit to the Abingdon Ruritan Club. He will continue to enjoy all the rights and privileges of an Active member, but he will no longer have to pay dues. Shown with Jon are Club President Dean Marzocca and Membership Chair Rose Taylor.
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
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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