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                                         Ruritan - A Powerful Force

                                         Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service since 1928

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Sandy Run Ruritans attend National Convention in Winston Salem, NC!

Ruritans from twenty-five states gathered in Winston Salem, North Carolina for their 73rd Annual Ruritan National Convention, held from January 29^th until February 1^st, at the Adams Mark Hotel and Convention Center. These Ruritan members and delegates represented more than 33,000 Ruritan volunteers across the nation who gathered to participate in self-improvement workshops, organizational business sessions, and the election of Ruritan National Officers for 2004.

 Eight members from the Sandy Run Ruritan Club joined in the fellowship along with over twelve hundred other Ruritans that attended the convention.  Six of the twenty clubs in the Columbia District were represented.  Attending from the Sandy Run Ruritan Club were Dave Boney, Kathy Boney, Herbert Geiger, Betty Geiger, Marshall Stabler, Lena Stabler, Gerald Starnes, and Becky Starnes.

 One of the highlights of the convention was the Flag Ceremony held on Thursday evening during the Convention Opening Ceremony.  The incoming 2004 District Governors from the twenty-five states represented by Ruritan presented their state’s flag.  Herbert Geiger, 2004 District Governor from the Sandy Run Ruritan Club, carried the South Carolina state flag.

On Saturday, during the awards segment of the convention, Paul Weaver, 2003 District Governor of the Columbia District and a member of the Delmae Ruritan Club, received a plaque from George Winslow, President of Ruritan National for his contribution to the success of Ruritan.  Betty Geiger, Columbia District Ruritan of the Year, was recognized along with other district Ruritan of the Year winners.

The Sandy Run Ruritan Club received two awards in communications.  Becky Starnes accepted a Second Place Award for the Sandy Run Club Newsletter and a First Place Award for the Sandy Run Ruritan Club Website.  Congratulations to Gary Hardee for designing and updating the newsletter and the website and to the Sandy Run Ruritan Club for winning these national awards against very stiff competition. Also, during the awards program Ruritans honored and gave a standing ovation to all Ruritans present who are veterans of World War II.

 While they were in Winston Salem, Ruritans donated 500 Rudy Ruritan teddy bears, the mascot of Ruritan Clubs and Ruritan National, to the area fire and rescue squads, law enforcement officials, and the local children’s hospital.  Since 1988, Ruritan Clubs have provided more than 62,500 Rudy Ruritan teddy bears to fire, rescue, police, and children’s agencies to comfort children in times of illness, accidents, and other traumas.

 Ruritans also donated over four thousand two hundred pounds of canned goods to the Winston Salem Salvation Army. During 2003, members of the Virginia and West Virginia Ruritan Clubs, in partnership with the Hunters for the Hungry Campaign; donated over 105,000 pounds of venison to needy families in their area.

 The 73^rd Annual Ruritan National Convention also featured a range of outstanding entertainment and speakers including performers James Rogers, the Greensboro Symphony Guild Singers, Dr. Russell Dean, Jane Jenkins, and motivational speakers Rev. Dale Riddle, and Rev. Bob Harrington.

 Ruritan National is the parent organization of all local Ruritan clubs, organizations devoted to improving America’s communities through Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service since 1928.