Sterling Ruritan History
The Sterling Club has served the community by providing those services needed by the community, and especially services needed by the youth of our area. This was our goal in the 1950s and continues to be our goal.
The most important accomplishment is the Club’s ability to attract and keep membership that commits itself to providing for the needs of our community.
Second must be the Charter Members knowledge that to support the community, the community must have a place in which to meet. This task was accomplished in 1956 when the Club purchased the building known as Bowman’s Tavern at a cost of $8,000. The first meeting was held in our clubhouse in February 1959 and in 1963 ground was broken for the 36 x 80’ building addition.
The cost of this addition was estimated at $17,000 and was scheduled to be completed by November 23, 1963. Before the County could provide a community center, the Sterling Ruritan Club provided their building to the community. Until 1966 the Club provided free use of our facility, in 1966 the cost was set at $50 dollars to rent and $10 for clean up. The Club has continually improved its facility and though higher than the 1966 rates, rates charged today for use of our facility are kept at a minimum.
The Club then, as we do today, financed the procurement of our building through fund raising efforts. In the past we have had dances, raffles, benefit dinners, turkey shoots, and the Salvation Army kettle bell ringing. Today we use such fund raisers as Bingo, trailer food sales, and club rentals.
We welcome you to hear from one of our Ruritan Forever Members, Tom Hummer and his story of growing up in the Sterling community
Sterling Ruritans Through The Years
since 1951
It’s hard to believe that the Sterling Ruritan Club is only seventy four years young. In these years the Sterling Club has served the community by providing those services needed by the community, and especially services needed by the youth of our area. This was our goal in the 1950s and continues to be our goal today.
The most important accomplishment is the Club’s ability to attract and keep membership that commits itself to providing for the needs of our community. Formed in October of 1951 and established as a Ruritan National Club in December of 1951. Our Charter Members knew they could support our Loudoun Community.
The second major accomplishment must be the Charter Members knowledge that to support the community the community must have a place in which to meet. This task was accomplished in 1956 when the Club purchased the building known as Bowman’s Tavern at a cost of $8000.
The first meeting was held in our clubhouse in February 1959 and in 1963 ground was broken for the 36 x 80’ building addition. The cost of this addition was estimated at $17,000 and was scheduled to be completed by November 23, 1963. Before the County
could provide a community center, the Sterling Ruritan Club provided their building to the community. Until 1966, the Club provided free use of our facility, in 1966 the cost was set at $50 dollars to rent and $10 for clean up. The Club has continually improved its facility and though higher than the 1966 rates, rates charged today for use of our facility are kept at a minimum.
The Club then, as we do today, financed the procurement of our building through fund raising efforts. In the past we have had dances, raffles, benefit dinners, turkey shoots, and the Salvation Army kettle bell ringing. Today we use such fundraisers as Bingo,
trailer food sales, and club rentals.
What about service to our youth? In 1953 the Club voted to award a $25 dollar war bond to the outstanding student from the local school. Since then the Club has continued its commitment by continuing the outstanding student awards. Because of the growth in our area the number of schools participating have increased significantly and funding for this effort currently exceeds $15,000 per year.
In the 1950s the Club erected an outdoor basketball court at the local school, furnished books for the library and installed lighting in the school parking lot. In the 1960s we donated money to buy needy students books, supported building of a new school for the
cited Broyhill development, supported the religious program in school and helped start the Broad Run High School Booster Fund.
The Club also has continuously supported youth sports organizations and the Boy and Girl Scout programs. We continue to support our schools by allowing them to use our facilities for their fundraising efforts, we provide needed monetary donations to support programs like Project Graduation, Breakfast with Santa as well as other events at each of our three supported high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.
The Club worked with the County Court System in 1952 by obtaining temporary custody of six children left homeless and parentless by the destruction of their home by fire. We
worked with the same court system in 1990 to become an approved organization where kids sentenced to hours of community service could work those hours off under our
supervision. The Club continues to support individuals and organizations that provide the community with help with medical expenses, utility bills, food donations, clothing, and any other issues brought to our attention.
In the 1950s we worked with the county to relieve the cause of flooding on Route 614 at Stallion Creek, provided street lights for the town of Sterling, opposed an ordinance that required two acres to build a home and in the 1960s we sponsored the new water line to be installed in Sterling and endorsed actions regarding the Seneca Dam. We continue to work on issues of affordable housing, landfill problems, and support of the W&OD bike path.
Attached is a listing of the many accomplishments completed by the Club during the sixty years. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of our Club’s history, but a tool that should give you, the member, a sense of the kinds of services
provided by our Club and how these service needs have changed as the community has grown.
2000-2004
2004: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner.
Donated to Loudoun Girls Softball, Prevent Eviction of single parent, Free use of clubhouse for American Legion Post, Hunters for the Hungry, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter,
Loudoun Good Shepherd Alliance Shelter, VFW Aux Big Friends Party, Recognition of volunteer fire and rescue high school students, Flowers for Sterling Veterans Memorial,
LINK and Loudoun Community Coalition, Sponsored a boy and girl to attend American Legion Boys’ and Girls’ State,
Sponsored and donations to Boy Scout Troop 966, Loudoun County Girls Scouts, VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, American Legion Post 150, three Park View High School Civics Organizations/Projects , Park View High School Recycling Project, Ruritan Club Recycling container, Park View High School Environmental Essay Contest, Sterling Middle School Environmental Essay Contest.
Donated and installed flagpole at Claude Moore Park
The Club provided manpower for Ladies Board of Loudoun Hospital Rummage sale.
2003: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner.
Donated to Cub Scout Pack 966 for Blue and Gold Banquet, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, Park View HS and Potomac Falls HS for project graduation, Kids R First.
Donation of $500 each to Sterling Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, Pack 966 for Freedom Foundation Work Weekend at Valley Forge, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Big Friends Christmas Party, LINK for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Club allotted $200 for purchase of Rudy Bears and food for the food bank.
Club paid $1,981.85 for oil tank removal.
Loudoun County removes the right for the Club to store cars for Sterling Chevrolet.
Establishment of a Ruritan Foundation Fund for Marge Sprock.
The Club assisted the Ladies Board of Loudoun Hospital Center with their 65th Annual Hospital Rummage Sale.
2002: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner. Donated $350 for a pinewood derby track.
Donation to Ashburn Ruritan, Sponsor Girls softball team, Park View and Potomac Falls High Schools project graduation, Troop 977 Medal of Honor Program, Kids R First donation, Sterling Park Volunteer Fire Department, Sterling Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, National Crime Prevention Council Trick or Treat Bags for SterlingFest.
The Loudoun County Health Department requires the Club to have its drinking water sampled once a month because of our use of a well.An old fuel tank is removed from the Club’s property. Problems occurred due to leaks. The Club is ordered to bring our property into environmental compliance and petroleum recovery and remediation management is required. Estimates to clean up the problem exceed $20,000.
2001: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner
Donated to D-Day Memorial, Flag Pole and plaque for Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, Freedoms Foundation, Boy Scout Troop 966 sponsorship, Boy Scout Troop 966 donations for training, Sterling Ruritan National Fund donations, Lower Loudoun Boys Football Teams (2) sponsorship, Future Educators of America, Lanesville Heritage Society, SUMC Donation for Church Mission to Juarez, Mexico, Lower Loudoun Little League, Boy Scout Jamboree Troop, Shooting Stars Girls Softball Team, Two Area High School Project Graduation Donations, Sterling Youth Soccer Association,
Fraternal Order of Police, church school bus, Kids R First Program, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, VFW Ladies Auxillary, Loudoun County Special Olympics, Park View High School Band Aides, McGruff Trick or Treat Bags, Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad, Sterling Volunteer Fire Department,
LARC (Leesburg), Plaques for Fire and Rescue Youth Volunteers, Loudoun Hospice, Hunters for the Hungry, Community Bank Trust Fund for Cancer Victim, Loudoun County Abused Women’s Shelter.
Prepared and gave out Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.
Paid the electric bill for a needy family and made donations to other needy families.
The Club worked with: Salvation Army Volunteer Recognition Dinner, Clean up of Sterling Recycling Center, Manned Sterling Recycling Center, Sterling Foundation Clean up,
Clean up of bike path (Ruritan Road), Keep Loudoun Beautiful
Clean up of Lanesville Heritage Area, Claude Moore Park
The Club held the family picnic and Christmas parties.
1995-2000
1995:
Friends Christmas Party - $1,170
Freedoms Foundation - $750
Flagpole donation to Claude Moore Park - $736
Silk Screen for Rudy Bear Tee Shirts - $66
Plaques for Fire and Rescue Youth Volunteers - $175
The Club worked to:
Clean up of Sterling Recycling Center
Manned Sterling Recycling Center
Sterling Foundation Cleanup
Clean up of bike path (Ruritan Road)
Keep Loudoun Beautiful
Clean up of Claude Moore Park
The Club participated in the Salvation Army Bell Ringing - $4,000
The Club prepared Thanksgiving ($735) and Christmas ($338) food baskets.
Paid electric bills for 13 families ($4,583) and gas bill for one needy family ($78).
Sponsored Boy Scout Troop 966 - $800
Donations to Boy Scout Troop 966 - $737
The family picnic was held - $500.
1990-1994
1990:
- Salvation Army kettle support -- $9,810 collected.
- Sponsored American Legion Outstanding Leaders of Today/Leaders of Tomorrow Program.. $360 donation
- Assisted other area organizations by providing them with a place to meet. These organizations include the Boy Scouts, American Legion, VFW and the JCs.
- Supported Team USA soccer.
- Provided food for the families and volunteers searching for man lost in missing plane.
- Supported men and women in the Middle East by paying postage to send packages overseas.
- Benefit for paralyzed youth to help purchase truck for transportation needs ($1050).
- Open two new permanent funds in the Ruritan National Foundation.
- Continued support of the Tip-off Tournament and the student awards night.
- Club begins to run Bingo on a permanent basis.
- Rudy Bears given to Fire Department, Sheriff’s department, for the Police and County Witness Victim program and children’s ward of local hospital.
- Support Project Graduation at two county high schools.
- Donation to local girl to help with bone marrow transplanting.
- Donation and support of abused women’s shelter.
- Court appointed organization for juvenile offenders to work off community service hours of sentences.
1991:
- Salvation Army kettle support -- $12,465 collected.
- Assisted other area organizations by providing them with a place to meet. These organizations include the Boy Scouts, American Legion, and the VFW.
- Supported the Smith Family with a benefit Dance for Children’s Hospital located in Washington D.C.. The Smith Family and the Club raised $2500.
- Continued support of the Tip-off Tournament and the student awards night.
- Support 4-H “Take A Stand” program ($740).
- Provide monies to send packages to our troops in the Middle East ($390).
- Provide the food service trailer to support the Jaycees ($626)
- Truck donation from C&P Telephone to be used to pull Food Trailer
- Sponsor Tip Off Tournament to raise money for the four County School Athletic Programs ($2000).
- Support the needs of our Club sponsored Boy Scout Troop ($1000).
- Area School Outstanding Student Awards, Plaques Student Awards, Dinner and monies presentations for Students ($3022.52).
- Donation to Fire Department and Rescue Squad ($1400).
- Sponsor Little League and Girls Softball ($300)
- Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets ($335.58).
- Bingo games for little girl with Leukemia ($467.50)
- Malone Foundation Benefit Dinner ($1100).
- Donations to United Way and March of Dimes ($800).
- Provide space and moderator for a public debate between candidates for the office of County Supervisor.
- Support Project Graduation at two county high schools. ($1000).
- Court appointed organization for juvenile offenders to work off community service hours of sentences.
1992:
- $500 donated to the Sterling United Methodist Church for their support of the Salvation Army kettle drive.
- Club approved money to buy materials and install ramps into the Lee Dulin residence due to his illness.
- Donated $500 to the Scout’s Golden Eagle Club.
- The Club had a sweetheart dance for Valentine’s Day on February 15.
- The February dinner meeting was for the ladies night and a catered meal was provided.
- The Club provided the trailer on Mother’s Day at the Hunter Valley and Great Falls horse show.
- Other trailer dates for Cascades Boy Scouts, Centerville Boy Scouts, Oatlands Appreciation Days, and loaned the trailer to the United Methodist Church for their use.
- Club held its annual outstanding students awards in June.
- The Club starting to get prices on installing new bathrooms.
- Presented a $100 check to the Lovettsville Ruritan Club on their charter night.
- The Club purchased a step van from the postal service for $1,100 and presented it to the Sterling Safety Center to be used as a support vehicle for large fires or other needs.
- The Club donated $980 to send two teenagers to Washington Focus.
- The Club started to consider a break area on the bike path on the west side of Route 28.
- Other trailer dates in Reston for Easter Seals, August court days in Leesburg, a car show at Oatlands, Oatland sheep dog trials, and supported an event at Claude Moore park,.
- The Club bought 12 aprons.
- This is the first year presented a $1,500 scholarship to a student from both Broad Run and Park View High Schools.
- The Club continued to support the Tip Off tournament at Broad Run High School. $452 was presented to each of the four county high schools.
- The Club donated $500 each to Broad Run and Park View for their All Night Graduation Celebration.
- The Club began installation of the bike path shelter which to date has exceeded $10,000 in expense.
- The Club donated $690 to the Northern Ruritan Club to help them stay afloat.
- New bingo tables were purchased and delivered.
- The Club is having a Halloween dance.
- The Loudoun County Health Department inspected our trailer and kitchen facilities which both passed.
- Discussed with the Knights of Columbus the use of our club while theirs is being remodeled.
- Donated $300 to the Victim and Witness office.
- Held meetings with county landfill representatives to discuss the club’s concern as to charges levied against residents for dumping their trash.
1993-1994:
1993 records were scarce due to illness of Club secretary.
- The Ruritan rest comfort station and shelter to aid users of the Old Dominion Bike Trail was completed. 80 hours of work and a cost $11,623.
- Erection of a flagpole at the new county sports complex and a donation of two American flags--$125.
- Support of the canteen facility and youth member recognition plaques for the Sterling Rescue Squad and Volunteer Fire Department --$450.
- Christmas bell ringing assistance for the Salvation Army. $10,400 collected.
- Preparation and delivery of 48 Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy--$830.
- Donation to Broad Run and Park View High Schools for Project Graduation--$400.
- Provided 75 Rudy bears to law enforcement witness, fire and rescue, and Loudoun hospital--$625.
- Hosting a benefit dance with proceeds to Children’s Hospital National Medical Center--$2,000.
- Donation to Good Shepherd Alliance for utility payments at homeless shelters--$200.
- Donation to United Way--$250.
- Donation to Loudoun Abused Womens Shelter--$100.
- Participation of members as Friends of Claude Moore Park. 40 hours donated and $120.
- Donation to County hospice program with additional direct member assistance to two families. 62 hours service and $300.
- Donation to victims along the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois. Including direct assistance to an elderly farm couple--$1,200.
- Use of the club and support for a benefit dance to aid a terminally ill cancer patient-- $4,000.
- Donation toward purchase by the Sterling Volunteer Department of Flashy the Fire Dog as a visual instructional device for children--$250.
- Contribution to Loudoun County Big and Little Friends an affiliate of the WMCA plus member organization of and use of the club for a Christmas party--$250.
- Two $1,500 scholarships. One to a graduating senior from each Broad Run and Park View High Schools--$3,000.
- Outstanding student awards to candidates selected by the Principals of our local high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools--$2,200.
- Sponsorship of youth delegate to national 4-H conference--$425.
- Chartering weekly meeting place in support for activities of Boy Scout Troop 966--$5,500.
- Sponsorship of Lower Loudoun Little League and Lower Loudoun Girls Softball--$500.
- Donation to Blue Ridge District friends of scouting--$250.
- Contribution to uniform and travel fund of Park View High School dance and drill team--$300.
- Contribution to Park View’s it’s academic team--$250.
- Contribution to Broad Run debate team--$585.
- Sponsorship of annual Tip Off Tournament of the girls’ basketball teams for the four county high schools--$3,100.
- Sponsorship of a Native American cultural enrichment program for Boy Scouts--$600.
- Cite availability planning, ticket sales, program printing, flower and concessions facilities for sponsorship of “Outstanding Student” recital by Great Falls School of Theatrical Dance--$3,519.
- Donation of the club’s hall used by the American Legion, VFW, youth soccer, football, and basketball teams for their end of year parties. Complementary use of the club for Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meetings.
- Donation of a full sponsorship for a high school senior from Broad Run as delegate to week long Presidential Classroom in Washington DC--$750.
- Contribution to Park View select choral assemble group “Persuasion”--$300.
2021-2025
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2020
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2015-2019
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2010-2014
2011: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner.
Purchased new equipment for bingo -- $10,000
Marked parking spaces on the parking lot -- $500
New carpet was installed on the stage and in the hallway.
Members worked to repair a drainage problem in the back of the building.
Sold an easement to COMCAST.
New facets and countertops were installed in the kitchen.
The main hall and stage were repainted.
Donated to Girl Scouts Amazing Race, Sterling Middle School for springfling, high school All American Bowl , Ruritan National Headquarters for their building repairs , Ruritan Foundation for the Tom Downing Award, Seneca Ridge Middle School for Welcome Back Picnic, Susan G. Koman organization, SterlingFest
and Sterling Advisory Board Thanksgiving dinner.
2010: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner.
Club installed new blinds in large meeting room.
Club paved the parking lot at a cost of $32,000.
Helped family with medical expenses -- $1,000
Donated to Sterling Foundation, Sterling VFW, Loudoun County Master Gardener, American Legion for boys and girls state, A Home Away from Homelessness for Haiti rescue effort, Northern Virginia Corvette Club, Sterling Middle School for spring fling, American Legion for Memorial Day flowers, Sterling Rescue Squad, Seneca Ridge Middle School for 6th grade picnic, Park View HS for media guide, Park View HS and Dominion HS for media guides, Sterling Foundation, Sterling Community Center Advisory Board for Thanksgiving dinner, Ruritan Foundation for the Sandy Andrews Memorial, Filipino-American Basketball, Dominion High School for Global Ambassadors – India, Race for the Cause, Park View HS Extra Mile Club, NoVa Corvette Club driving school, High schools for Project Graduation, Good Shepard Alliance, Holiday Coalition, Hunters for the Hungry, LINK and Sterling Fire Department.
2005-2009
2009: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner
Donated to Sterling VFW, Vienna Stars Softball Team, Dominion High School for bases for softball team, American Legion for boys and girls state and Memorial Day wreaths, SterlingFest sponsorship, Filipino-American basketball, baseball factory for sponsorship to baseball camp, Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis Walk, Troop 966 for trailer, Northern VA Corvette Club for teen driving school, Kids R First, Holiday Coalition, Good Shepard Alliance, Hunters for the Hungry, LINK, High School Project Graduations and Sterling Community Center Advisory Board.
2008: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner
Donated to Vienna Stars Softball Team, Park View HS Environmental Explorations, Loudoun Interfaith Relief NALC Food Drive, American Legion Post 150 for purchase of US Flags for Sterling Boulevard, American Legion Post 150 to support Boys State, National Race for the Cure, SterlingFest Sponsor, Loudoun County Chapter Red Cross, Memorial Day Wreaths for Sterling Veterans Memorial, Evercare Hospice, Kids R First, Hunters for the Hungry, Keep Reading Foundation, US Navy Memorial, high schools for Project Graduation, Good Shepard Alliance, Sterling Fire Department,
Sterling Rescue Squad, LINK, County of Loudoun Holiday Program, Sterling Baseliners softball team and Park View HS music program.
2007: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner
Donated to Fire and Ice Girl’s Softball, Sponsorship for two Boys to go to Boys State, Ruritan National Double Your Dollar,
SterlingFest, Park View Musical, Boy Scout Troop 966 Medal of Honor, Girl Scout SU 703, Sterling Fire Department - $500
Sterling Rescue Squad, Ruritan Foundation VT Memorial, Hunters for the Hungry, Link, Kids R First, Northern Virginia Corvette Club, Girl Scout Troop 4268, Good Shepard Alliance,
Loudoun County, Park View HS, Potomac Falls HS, and Dominion HS Projection Graduation.
2006: Sterling Park Veterans Memorial, Medal of Honor Trip sponsor Troop 966, Trip to Boys and Girls State for two boys under American Legion Post 150, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Big Brother/Big Sister Holiday Party, VFW Youth Patriots Pin and Voice of Democracy Program, Park View High School band to spring band competition in Florida, Supported Ashburn Ruritan Club by supplying funds to send several students to Dallas, Texas, Fire and Ice Girls Softball Team and Discovery Park at Sully ES.
The Club spent $1,000 on new chairs.
The Club is looking to buy a Rudy Bear costume.
2005: Hosted Outstanding Student Awards and Dinner
Donated to Holiday Coalition, LINK, Kids R First, Operation We Care, Hunters for the Hungry, Loudoun County Girl Scouts, Lions Club to purchase phone cards for troops overseas, Loudoun County Life Line, Sterling Veterans Memorial for flowers and plants, Project Graduation donated for three local high schools, Ruritan National Double Your Dollar Scholarship, Ruritan National Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scout 966 to attend Freedom Foundation.
Participated in the Keep Loudoun Beautiful campaign.
Held a dinner for high school youth volunteers of the Loudoun County fire department and rescue squads.