MAXWELTON W.Va. (WVDN) – The Maxwelton Ruritan Club held its Christmas party and end-of-the-year celebration on Dec. 19, 2024, at the Henning Church of God Fellowship Hall.
National Director Patty Hamilton was in attendance to install the new officers for the coming year. The 2025 club officers are: Bill Zink, President; Cari Nelson, Vice President; Bob Hefner, Treasurer; Debbie Bowman, Secretary and Larry Bowman, First Year Director. District Treasurer Shirley Mutter, spouses and special guests were also in attendance.
Outgoing President Brenda Wallace had the honor to award Elizabeth Christie with the 2024 Maxwelton Ruritan of the Year. Christie volunteers with the Greenbrier County Humane Society and local food pantries while giving so much to the Ruritan Club. It was a well-deserved honor!
Debbie Bowman, Secretary, gave an update of the club activities for the past year. Donations were given to local fire departments, Family Refuge Center, Wellspring, Special Olympics of Greenbrier County, Greenbrier Valley Sportsman Alliance to fund archery programs for local schools, local 4-H clubs, Project Graduation, Shop with a Cop, HOSA, and gift cards to the young ladies at the Alicia McCormick House (Davis Stuart).
The club provided scholarships with the Henry Lindsey Scholarship, Build Your Dollar and several other grants to local high school seniors. Members were involved with projects for the community including Adopt A Highway, maintenance of the flower beds at the Maxwelton Post Office and the Greenbrier County 911 Center.
The club organized and promoted a first-ever Maxwelton Community Yard sale in May that was a huge success. The members also decorated the Ice Cream Concession stand at the State Fair of West Virginia for Christmas at the Fair.
All the members agreed that funding the installation of fire hydrants in our community is one of the best projects that we have completed, and it could save lives. The club has funded eight hydrants since beginning in 2021. Total donations and funds spent for the community for 2024 were over $20,000. All of this is made possible by the patrons who support the club’s selling of ice cream during the State Fair.
Members brought in extra food items for donation to the Northern Greenbrier Food Pantry.
The Women of the Henning Church prepared a delicious meal for those in attendance and everyone enjoyed the “Dirty Santa” game. The members are looking forward to 2025 and finding new ways to support our community.
If you would like more information about Ruritan and the Maxwelton Club, please follow them on Facebook or send an email to ldbowman84@hotmail.com. The club is recruiting new members to join the club and make the community a better place.
