A Legacy of Giving

Largely forgotten elsewhere, the devestation wrought by Hurricane Camille on the night of August 19-20th, 1969 remains a vivid memory for most in Nelson County who lived through it. Often referred to locally as The Flood, the rainfall in excess of 30 inches which fell in just a few hours unleashed torrents of water and collapsing hillsides. Whole towns and communities were swept away, and an estimated 126 people died or were never found in Nelson County, including the first President of our club, Carl Raines. The Davis Creek and Massies Mill areas accounted for the majority of deaths.

The assistance of Mennonites who caravanned over the mountains the very next afternoon from neighboring Rockbridge and Augusta counties is still remembered and honored to this day. But recent research in our Club's records by David Hight documents another outpouring of support: that from other Ruritan clubs in Virginia and neighboring states. Massies Mill Ruritan Club received in the months of September and October roughly $6000 in cash donations from 44 Ruritan clubs, along with an additional $550 from churches and individuals. (Adjusted for inflation, this would be something over $40,000 today.) With this, 106 persons or families were provided with money, groceries, clothes, and/or tools to assist in putting their lives back together.

Memories and appreciation of this support have prompted our Club to make donations in a similar spirit to other clubs in devestated areas, including two clubs in tornado-hit communities in Virginia in April 2011.

Although our records may not be complete, we have compiled the following list of those clubs that supported the post-Camille recovery process through their donations to our Club. The list is based on the date received.

Donating Clubs