Mahaska Ruritan Club donates plaques to Serenity House
Mahaska Ruritan Club Members Larry Gordy, Club President Larry Lewis and Club Secretary Dave Figland show the beautiful ceramic tiles Lewis made and donated to the Hospice Serenity House on the Mahaska Health campus in Oskaloosa. (submitted photo)
Larry Lewis of Oskaloosa learned to make beautiful stain glass embedded on ceramic tile about eight years ago and says it’s a creative process he enjoys. He is also a Mahaska Ruritan Club member and asked the club to sponsor getting pieces of art in the patient rooms at the Hospice Serenity House on the Mahaska Health Campus.
“The Serenity House was very excited to get the ceramic tiles, so I made one for each of the six patient rooms,” Lewis said. “We just like the idea of bringing a smile to patients and family members with art. Each plaque is unique and has actual stain glass for the design.”
Lewis said the Mahaska Ruritan Club was happy to sponsor getting the plaques in the Serenity House. “The Ruritans are a group of city people and farmers who unite for civic functions and to support local charities. Our aim is to achieve fellowship, goodwill and community service.”
Ruritan National is a service club located in small towns and rural areas in the United States. There are more than 1,200 clubs across the US and more than 30,000 members. Unlike most community service organizations, each club surveys the needs of its own community and then works to meet some of those needs. Lewis said the Mahaska Ruritan club represents a cross-section of the community.
“We are not restrictive with regard to occupation, social position or any other specific criteria,” Lewis stressed. “We just want to do good works for our community.”
The group has sponsored various fundraisers to support such things as scholarships for local students going to William Penn University, as well as support of Operation Back Pack for United Way of Mahaska County. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM at Atkins Memorial Union Hall on the William Penn Campus.
Lewis said the Mahaska Ruritans are always welcoming of new members, both men and women. If interested in joining them or learning more about the group, please call Lewis at 641-673-8885.
