The Morrison Ruritan Club was recently awarded gold in all five community service categories at the organization’s Cherokee District convention in Chattanooga. The club was the first in the district to be so honored.
The Cherokee District of the national organization is composed of 35 clubs in Eastern and Middle Tennessee.
Ruritan presents gold, silver, and bronze awards in each of five areas including Business and Professions, Citizenship and Patriotism, Environment, Public Service, and Social Development. Clubs are awarded points and compete with other clubs in their district for these prestigious awards.
The Morrison Ruritan Club has been winning gold awards for some time now, but this is the first time it has received gold in all five categories. The club is so far the only club in the Cherokee District to achieve this record. Morrison Ruritan received a special plaque for this accomplishment.
Morrison Ruritan Club president Darlene Bryant said the reason the club is so successful is the many volunteer hours its members put in to provide service to their community.
“I’m extremely happy and proud of all our members,” Bryant said. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and we have some outstanding members who go the extra mile and really put their heart and soul into everything we do.”
Sue Anderson, chairperson of the Social Development Committee, said the club has done much this year and it’s good to have that acknowledged.
“We were the very first one to do this,” Anderson said. “We were so excited. It’s just wonderful and I’m thrilled to be part of the club. Our club works really hard for the community and it’s great to be recognized.”
Public Services Committee chairperson Lavell Whitehead said he is thrilled the club did so well in the district.
“It’s a great award,” Whitehead said. “Nobody has ever done this so it makes you proud of your club. We do a lot of work in the community so it’s nice when other people recognize you for what you do.”
The categories and chairpersons for the five committees are as follows:
• Business and Professions Committee — Todd Shewmaker
• Citizenship and Patriotism Committee — Mike Holland
• Environment Committee — Jay Baker
• Public Services Committee — Lavell Whitehead
• Social Development Committee — Sue Anderson
This year’s Morrison Ruritan officers include Darlene Bryant, president; Todd Shewmaker, vice president; John Jacobs, secretary; and Shirley Driver, treasurer.
The club will now compete at the national level at the Ruritan National Convention in the five divisions. The national convention will be held at Raleigh, N.C., in January.