Two men, Tom Downing and Jack Gwaltney, recognized a need for an organization where community leaders could meet and discuss ways to improve their community. Their early ideas grew to what is now a national organization centered around 3 major categories: Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service. Ruritan is building a better America by building better communities. The Cold Harbor Ruritan Club is a 49 year old community service organization serving Mechanicsville and Hanover County. Our membership is small but extremely busy and hardworking in our attempt to meet many of our community’s needs. In addition to our man hour contributions, we monetarily support the Hanover Adult Center, Mechanicsville area volunteer fire and rescue squads, graduating high school seniors through several scholarships, and needy families at Christmas and other times of the year. We currently have two established major fund raisers including the preparation and sale of over 2,500 quarts of Brunswick stew each October, November and February and our annual shrimp feast held on the Friday afternoon following Memorial Day.
