By Stephen Smoot
Ruritan clubs, such as those serving Pendleton County, form a vital support in the community. They, along with fellow service clubs, conduct a wide variety of community improvement projects. Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal financial services organization nearly 700,000 strong, offers support to organizations and others doing such good work.
Recently, the two missions came together.
As Steven Barnett of Modern Woodmen shared, “Ee have a big focus on community impact.” That organization will pledge to a worthy recipient a full or partial match of funds raised at an event. South Fork Ruritan earned the full match.
Modern Woodmen and South Fork Ruritan selected the Nov. 24 Hunter’s Dinner as the fundraiser to combine upon. “They had a dinner. They raised $1,650 and we matched it,” Barnett said.
Barnett shared why South Fork Ruritan served as an ideal partner, saying, “Funds will go into a building maintenance fund. In the future, they want to put a new floor in. This will go a good ways toward helping them reach this goal.”
He added that the facility serves as a strong center of community in the South Fork Valley. The Ruritan club hosts West Virginia Poultry Association educational dinners and has also welcomed Pendleton County Schools’ year end dinner in the past.
Modern Woodmen contribute approximately $10 million per year toward community organizations and projects. Alongside the matching grant program, MW members can apply for $200 “do good grants” to assist others in their community with projects and events.
In the Pendleton County area, MW has also performed service projects, many assisting schools and education. They provide both back-to-school packets for teachers as well as school, hygiene, and other supplies to students. Those items not handed out on the first day get donated to Communities in Schools for year-round help.
The organization started as a financial services company “founded in the pioneer era to clear family financial burdens.” Community impact serves as both a corporate and philanthropic goal.
“The community truly came together to support a local need,” said Barnett.
