Dear Editor:
I am sad to read about Penny Pitch dissolving and will no longer be serving needy families in our area at Christmas. She stated that “Penny Pitch has always been supported by local service clubs, and those groups are seeing a decline in memberships.” Being a part of a community service organization, I understand the reasons behind the decision, but it is still disheartening.
Recent statistics show that community civic clubs like Ruritan and Lions clubs are slowly fading away. The elderly men and women who back in the day started the clubs and showed such pride in being volunteers are unable to be active. Clubs are now trying to fill those shoes with new members, without much luck.
What is the reason that younger adults do not want to join clubs or volunteer? The number one reason I hear is “I don’t have time.” They are busy with their own children’s soccer games, baseball games, Scouts or whatever. They already give their free time to their church. They spend too much time at the office because they have a very demanding job. They want to spend quality time with their family. Maybe they spend too much time on social media?
Surely, most people can spend a few hours each month volunteering. But the desire to find that time can be difficult. The desire to help other people and make your community a better place must be strong.
But you might ask, “What’s in it for me?” The easiest way to explain is that feeling you get when you actually “get your hands dirty” to help clean a flooded home, rather than just writing a check. You do not receive any payment for what you do, but you feel better about yourself knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life. Maybe it is how you feel after delivering food boxes and toys knowing that this family will have a nice Christmas this year. You may not even get a pat on the back, but you smile as you drive the highways and notice that because you participated in Adopt-A Highway program all the trash is gone, even if just for a little while. Maybe you recognize a student’s name in the newspaper who graduated from college and know that your efforts helped pay for a scholarship. You get to spend time with your fellow members working together and raising money or certain projects. You could even include your family and spend quality time together helping others.
This s a request for you to strongly consider joining a Ruritan club! Currently, there are eight: Clintonville, Muddy Creek Mountain, Richlands, Frankford, Williamsburg, Maxwelton, Renick and Smoot. Most of the existing Ruritan clubs have been serving the area for over 60 years and we hope to continue this long-standing tradition for many years to come.
It has been suggested that a new club would be beneficial for the Ronceverte/Fairlea area. An informative meeting is scheduled in Ronceverte at Trinity United Methodist Church on Aug. 26th at 6 p.m. to see if there is enough interest, or desire, to have a Ruritan club there. This would be a great opportunity for Ronceverte citizens to work together for the good of their community.
We need you!
Debbie Bowman
Maxwelton Ruritan Club
**Ruritan clubs are non-partisan and do not discriminate against race, religion, sex, disability, or status in any group protected by state and local law.
