The National Grange has named the Edneyville, NC Grange as first in community service during 2009. The prestigious award was announced at the National Grange annual convention held in Grand Rapids, MI November 17th to 21st.
The Edneyville Grange’s 87 members have combined to contribute an estimated 5,716 hours toward their community service projects in 2009. Their main project has been the establishment of a community center for their area. Grange members have worked for the past five years to make a community center a reality. They proudly held the center’s ribbon cutting on September 3, 2009. The center will also serve as a meeting place for the Edneyville Grange. Grange members are now working to raise $3 million to add a pool, a park and a gym to the community center.
Other Edneyville Grange projects include sponsorship of the local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, roadside cleanups working with the scouts, a Thanksgiving service for the community, sponsoring kids to go to Grange Camp, sponsoring a family at Christmas and holding a musical program for the community at Puncheon Creek. Stated Edneyville Grange President, Margaret Davidson, “The Grange is a community and family oriented organization. It offers citizens a vehicle to give back to their community as well as a place for good, wholesome family fun.”
The National Grange is the nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization. Originally founded in 1867, today the Grange represents over 200,000 grassroots Grange members affiliated with 2,700 local, county and state Grange chapters located in 37 states. Grange members provide service to agriculture and rural communities on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable rural America.
