To the Editor:
In Butler, “The Town That Wouldn’t Drown,” there is an organization known as the Butler Ruritan. While Ruritan is a national organization, I am writing about the Butler club. This club is comprised of men and women who sincerely desire to give back to the community. Some of these folks were born and raised in the area and some have moved here from other parts of the country. But, all of them want to make the Butler area a better place to live.
As with any community improvement organization, Ruritan asks its members to donate their time and their talents in order to make their community better and to help those less fortunate than themselves.
Resources are needed to help those in need and to improve our community that translates into residents developing pride and comfort in their community. The major fundraiser that allows the Butler Ruritan to accomplish these tasks is the “Old Butler Days” festival held the second weekend in August from noon Friday to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The proceeds from the fundraiser allows the Butler Ruritan to sponsor the Veterans Day Luncheon at which our veterans may receive a free meal as a small token of our gratitude for their service to our country. Ruritan has a scholarship fund available to provide selected students with a scholarship to attend college or trade school.
One of the most visible projects for the Butler Ruritan is the refurbishment and the continued upgrade and maintenance of the Butler Park, located at the corner of SR 78 and Piercetown Road. This facility provides a basketball court for adults, one for young children, a walking trail, a paved pavilion for family parties or get-togethers, a playground for young children, and shelters for a farmers market in season. As of 2019 the park is totally handicap accessible.
The Butler Ruritan financially assists those who need help with their electric and/or water bill, help meet heating needs such as wood, oil, gas, or coal. Additionally, the Butler Ruritan has helped defray travel and lodging costs for those who need help to respond to family medical emergencies or medical procedures at distant locations. The Butler Ruritan provides financial support to the Hales Community Ministry in Mountain City and the Little Milligan Food Pantry.
There are so many projects that the Butler Ruritan could accomplish if more people would come and assist in this outreach organization.
Those of you who feel the tug to do something more for your community or to pay back for all the blessings that you have been given from God and our country, please consider this an invitation to come on March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Butler Ruritan Club located on Piercetown Road on the second floor above the Butler Volunteer Fire Dept. for a free meal and to learn more about how you can help make our community a better place to live. Without you we will be unable to reach out to those who need help and to move our community forward.
We look forward to seeing you at our first membership function. For more information please contact Bill Benedict at 768-0305.

Sincerely,
Bill Benedict, President
Butler Ruritan Club