Ararat, Va. Ruritans aid sister club

ARARAT, Va. — Anyone familiar with Patrick County knows that Stuart, the county seat, often sets the pace for its outlying communities, but not where a club expansion was concerned.

Although they are members of the Ararat Ruritan Club, Pamela Roberson Smith and her husband Kevin were instrumental in the chartering of the recently formed Stuart Ruritan Club.

That group has just celebrated its first birthday, with the Smiths being credited for their role in this during an anniversary meeting.

This included Pam Smith receiving the Tom Downing Award for her work as one of the new Stuart club’s mentors.

That award, given to less than 5% of members, recognizes distinguished volunteerism within the Ruritan organization.

Although their home club is the Ruritan group based in Ararat, the Smiths aided the formation of not only the Stuart Ruritan Club but the Woolwine Community Ruritan Club at the opposite end of the sprawling county from Ararat.

Meanwhile, the couple also are quite active in their community with various Ruritan projects.

The Ararat club was chartered in January 1953.

Off to good start

The Stuart Ruritan Club is distinguishing itself through the guidance of individuals such as Kevin and Pam Smith.

In its brief history, the group has held three fundraisers and provided much in the way of community service.

Its service projects have included a Mental Health Awareness Walk and bowl-a-thon.

Members collected items for a wildfire at Tuggles Gap near Floyd and have provided meals for the Patrick County Recovery Ministry in addition to participating in food drives and roadside cleanups in Patrick.

The club also has had representatives manning booths at Stuart street festivals and a Ruritan Club booth at the annual county fair.

This aided in getting the Ruritan name out in the community and members were able to share their experiences with the club.

It additionally strives to honor local fire, law enforcement and rescue personnel along with veterans.

Other efforts have involved launching a scholarship, with a community college student selected as the first recipient.

The Stuart Ruritan Club is seeking more members and fresh ideas to help with its projects and the community to thrive.

The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. and begins with a covered dish meal.

More information on the Stuart Ruritan Club is available on its Facebook page or via email at StuartRuritans@gmail.com