POMARIA — A service organization from Pomaria whose mission is to help improve the local communities turns half a century old this month.

The Pomaria Ruritan Club, whose motto includes improving the community through community service, fellowship and goodwill, has its monthly meeting paired with its anniversary at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the clubhouse on Peak Road in Pomaria.

“Where there’s a need, we try to respond,” said Henri Bishop, a Pomaria Ruritan Club member.

The service organization invites all members and former members to attend the anniversary celebration. Bishop said that guests and former members should make reservations by Friday (Feb. 15) to member Billy Bedenbaugh at 276-7919 since there will be a meal provided. There is no cost, he adds.

The guests will be Columbia district officers from the Ruritan Club, Bishop said, adding that Pomaria’s Ruritan Club is part of the Columbia district which covers about two-thirds of the state. A Spartan district covers the Upstate area.

Zone 1 Governor William Wallace Jr. and District Treasurer David Lominick are a part of the Pomaria organization and leaders on a district level for the state, Bishop explained.

Paul Richardson and Gurney Stuck, both of whom were a part of the original group in 1963, are still involved.

Currently, there are about 33 members and while the group is all male, Bishop said the group is now open to women and youth and the group welcomes anyone who wants to help out the local community.

Some of the major projects the Pomaria Ruritan Club does for the community includes an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, sponsoring Girls State and Boys State attendees, scholarships for Mid-Carolina High seniors and Boys Scouts and Cub Scouts troop 76, Bishop said.

The club meets once a month at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday. For more information about the anniversary or membership, contact Bedenbaugh at 276-7919.