Pekin Ruritan Club receives Governor’s Volunteer Award

The Pekin Ruritan Club received a 2021 Group Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during a special recognition ceremony held June 8, 2022 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.

Pekin Ruritan Club, which was established in the community in 1975, was nominated for a 2021 Group Governor’s Volunteer Service award by Iowa DOT for their years of service picking up trash along the highway near the Martinsburg junction. Over the years, the Pekin Ruritan Club has had over 256 Pekin seniors as members. They have also given approximately $70,000 in scholarships to Pekin graduates, and have given over $80,000 to other causes in the community. The Pekin Ruritan Club raises funds each year with various fundraisers including selling sandwiches at home Pekin sports events and their annual smoked pork loin sales

“Iowans take great pride in their deep and rich commitment for serving others—it’s in our DNA,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowa nice is the foundation of our state--you see it everywhere you turn-- Iowans volunteering their time to help others and improve their communities and our state. It truly is an honor to be able to recognize these individuals for their meaningful acts of generosity through the Governor’s Volunteer Awards and inspire others to do the same.”

More than 500 awards were presented this year during five ceremonies across Iowa. It is estimated that more than 150 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees.

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor's Volunteer Award program—now in its 38th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.