RURITAN – WHAT IS RURITAN?

Unlike most community service organizations, Ruritan rarely has national programs. Rather, each club surveys the needs of its own community and then works to meet some of those needs. Nearly all clubs work locally with youth organizations such as FFA, 4-H and Scouting. Many clubs provide and supervise community recreational centers, sponsor little league and other athletic programs, sponsor anti-litter campaigns, help the sick, the needy, and provide a wide range of other activities to help improve their communities.

The Community Service Committees are standing committees in all Ruritan Clubs across the Nation. Our success will be determined by our determination, dedication, and persistence to serve our community.

History

The first Ruritan Club was chartered May 21, 1928, in Holland, Virginia. Since that first club, Ruritan has grown throughout the United States of America, and in doing so, has become “America’s Leading Community Service Organization.”

Tom Downing of Suffolk, Virginia, and Jack Gwaltney of Holland, Virginia, are known as the co-founders of Ruritan. Gwaltney and Downing recognized the need for an organization where community leaders could meet and discuss ways to make their community a better place in which to live.

The name “Ruritan” was suggested by Daisy Nurney, a reporter for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot newspaper, and the club’s charter members unanimously adopted “Ruritan” as the organization’s name. The word is a combination of the Latin words for open country “ruri” and small town “tan,” interpreted as pertaining to rural and small town life.

How was McCullers Ruritan started?

McCullers Ruritan club was sponsored by the West Edgecomb Ruritan Club near Rocky Mount. McCullers was chartered in April 16, 1953, with 41 charter members. The club has provided one Ruritan National President, U.L. (Buddy) Lee. Also three National Directors have come from McCullers Ruritan; U.L. (Buddy) Lee, James Arvin, and Dewitt King.

First meetings were held at Sauls Barbecue, formerly 401 Seafood. The present building was constructed in 1956 with the first meeting being held in November of that year. About 1980 the club purchased six acres of property on Fanny Brown Road to be used as a recreational area and possible future club house site. The property presently has two baseball playing fields for youngsters.

How are McCullers Ruritan club activities funded?

Club activities are funded by membership dues and two barbecues.

Each year the club prepares two barbecue dinners that are the main fund raising events to cover club facility expenses and community support activities. These events are held on the last Friday in March and September. The club building is rented for community events and church services to raise funds as well provide a service to the community. Membership dues are paid by each member to cover Ruritan National dues and monthly meeting dinners.

What type of community activities are supported by the McCullers Ruritan?

In a typical year, the McCullers Ruritan Club again hosts two pork BBQ fundraisers: one in March and September. Profits allow the Ruritan Club to support endeavors in the community. We provide at least 2 scholarships for a local college student. Some notables for use of our fund-raising;

• Wake County Sheriff’s Expansion of K-9 dog patrol and drug team.

• Our facility was also used by a local church in the community and we upgraded our ball fields for local youth organized baseball teams wishing practice using our fields off Fanny Brown Rd.

• Donations made to Hospice Of Wake County, Hand of Hope, and the Wake County Food Bank.

• Rudy Bears to local Emergency, Fire, Sheriff and NC State Troopers to give to children involved in emergency situations.

The Ruritans look forward to many years and expect another great year assisting our “small town”! The McCullers Crossroads neighborhood knows that Ruritan makes their community a better place in which to live.