The Social Development Committee knows that human resources are its most valuable assets, it is important that the community have facilities and service which will provide for the well-being and development of all people, with special concern for those with unique needs.
Since the Ruritan club serves the entire community, it is in the best position to take the initiative in making these facilities and services available through club projects and cooperative programs with other organizations and agencies. The areas for consideration should include: Youth, Health, The Disabled, Senior Citizens, Drug Abuse .
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ARC HELPS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Abingdon Ruritan Club made a donation of $500 to Achilles Elementary School for School Supplies. Shown in the picture are Lauren Ginder Community Engagement; Timothy Edwards Principal; Lynn Onesty Abingdon Social Development Chair; Kathy Olmsted 5th grade teacher; Julie Pasipanki Bookkeeper; and Michael Duffey 5th grade teacher. Photo by Danny Privott
Abingdon Ruritan Club supports the Union Baptist Church Food Pantry.
Abingdon Ruritan Club supports the Union Baptist Church Food Pantry. Each year the Club gives a monetary donation. Twice each year, the Club members donate food to the Pantry. Lynn Onesty, Social Development Chair, set a goal in July to collect at least 100 pounds of food. The goal was exceeded! Over 160 pounds were collected and delivered to the Pantry on July 14th. Shown in the photo are the items donated and from left Pantry Director Donna Green, Pantry Associate Becky Jenkins, and Club past president Rupert Thomas. Photo by Danny Provott.
GMHS Donation
The Abingdon Ruritan Club is proud to support organizations like GMHS that make a meaningful difference in our community and in the lives of animals in need. In addition to the club’s monetary donation, Abingdon Ruritan Club members also collected and donated more than 100 pounds of supplies for the animals, including multiple bags of food, toys, treats, linens, and a feeder. The Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society was incredibly appreciative of the overwhelming community support and generosity shown by our members. 
Pictured left to right are Lynn Onesty of the Abingdon Ruritan Club Social Development Committee and Caitlin Donnelly of the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society as she receives the ARC May donation to help support our local sheltered animals.
Bingo at Sanders
Abingdon Ruritan Club members play Bingo with residents of Sanders Home the first and third Friday each month. Shown in the photo is Club Member Dick Beasley calling the numbers. The residents look forward to participating and each winner receives a prize.
VOLUNTEERING IN OUR SCHOOLS 2026
The Virginia Cooperative Extension-Gloucester County hosted a Reality Store at Peasley Middle School. Students had the opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to manage income and expense. Abingdon Ruritan Club members helped out Peasley Middle School’s Reality Store program, which was held on Jan.29-30. Reality Store is a financial simulation that allows students to learn more about career planning, money management and budgeting, and decision making. Students go through the process of choosing a careeer, receiving a “paycheck” and learning to budget their pay to meet monthly expenses, along with unexpected expenses. Those helping out included, seated from left, volunteer Jay Matheiu and club members Scott Olmsted, committee chair Lynn Onesty, Gary Bergtholdt, Walter Priest; standing, Dick Beasley, Betsy Tuttle, John Snyder, Robyn Sweet, Josie Langford, Mike Crandall and Abby Bowles.
Many Helping Hands
Left: John Snyder and Scott Olmsted, Top: Lynn Onesty, Bottom: Walter Priest
The Abingdon Ruritan Club was well represented at Page Middle School’s Reality Store, an event presented by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. The Reality Store gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn about budgeting, career choices, financial responsibility, and real-life decision-making. Ruritan club members taking part included, from left, Liz Turner, Abby Bowles, Raven Cash, Rick Taylor, Lynn Onesty, John Snyder, Walter Priest, Scott Olmsted, Gary Bergtholdt and National Ruritan member Jay Mathieu.