The Carver Road Ruritan Club was honored Monday with a resolution from the state to mark its 50 years of dedication to the community.
Del. Eric Phillips, who presented the resolution, said “It was a privilege to be with the Carver Road Ruritan Club to present them with a Virginia General Assembly Resolution honoring its 50th anniversary.”
The resolution was filed in June by Phillips, R-Martinsville, and Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, and approved by the General Assembly. It also noted that the club is dedicated to bettering the Carver community and surrounding areas in Henry County through fellowship, goodwill, and service.
“It was the first and now, of course, the oldest, predominately black, Ruritan club in the United States,” Phillips said. “Carver Road Ruritans have been steadfast supporters of the community and continue to have a great impact with its numerous programs for our area.”
Chartered in 1974 with 35 civic-minded founders, the Carver Road Ruritan Club was the first predominantly Black Ruritan Club in the United States and its members have dedicated themselves to improving the Carver neighborhood through service projects, programming, and charity, while also serving as a gathering center and encouraging community pride and cohesiveness.
The club also “has developed a plethora of philanthropic efforts over the years, including financially supporting the community’s volunteer fire and rescue squads, donating to initiatives for feeding the homeless, sponsoring youths attending 4-H camp, awarding scholarships to area high school graduates, sponsoring road clean-ups, regularly delivering food and gifts to the neighborhood elderly, and erecting neighborhood gateway welcome signs,” the resolution stated.
Additionally, it has been a community hub, hosting events ranging from baby showers to repasses, facilitating community meetings with local officials and businesses, and serving as the meeting venue for other civic, nonprofit, and fraternal organizations.
