About Us
Ruritan National Overview
Ruritan National began in Holland Virginia in 1928. Since that time Ruritans has grown throughout the US and has become “America’s Leading Community Service Organization”. The slogan of Ruritans is “Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service.” Each club surveys its own community to determine the needs particular to that area and then works together to meet those needs.
The Middlebrook Club
The Middlebrook Ruritan Club was formed in 1940 and has served the needs of Middlebrook and the surrounding area since that time. The club is a community service organization and host several community events during the year. Some are fund raisers and others just offer a chance for the community to gather and mingle.
These events require several volunteers and some work, but there is a lot of reward for the effort. It comes when you witness the community gather and enjoy themselves and know that you have helped facilitate the opportunity.
Early in the year we invite you to shake off the winter blues and join your neighbors for breakfast. Usually in mid-January and again in March.
We offer a chance to avoid cooking for a night to enjoy a spaghetti dinner. You can dine out with your neighbors or take it to go. This is a weeknight in February and again in October.
Stop by and see us at The Meating Place for breakfast or lunch a couple of times through the year.
We strive to keep the community looking clean and inviting. We take an active part in the countywide clean up activities every April. Not only do we arrange to have open top dumpsters available in town; we also pick up litter going north and south out of the village.
Feeling patriotic around the 4th of July; enjoy a nice smalltown parade. Pick up some BBQ chicken while you’re at it. Later join your neighbors at the ballfield for ice cream.
We invite runners into the village in August for the Middlebrook Mornin’ 5k. Enjoy some nice scenery while you try for a personal best time.
We host a meal and a gathering to thank our first responders sometime in the fall. Usually October.
In late October we’ll host a trunk or treat event in the parking lot in town. Feel free to dress up and to decorate your car for all the little ghosts and goblins to enjoy.
If you’re a veteran, we salute you with a dinner in November.
Our last community event of the year is the annual Christmas parade. Santa attends and the little ones have an opportunity to ask Santa for the special present. All can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate.
In addition to the “regular” events, we may host an historical presentation, a Mater Gardener event, some type of community training like first aid/CPR, a meeting of some community interest, or a community market.
The club raises money throughout the year to pay for these events, to offer scholarships to Riverheads High School graduates, and also to donate to several area charities.
We donate to several clubs at the Riverheads schools and help out the schools when asked. Each year we donate dictionaries to the 3rd graders.
We are always ready and willing to help community members when a need arises.