Centre County’s Ruth Vonada named 2026 Pennsylvania State Granger of the Year
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GRANTVILLE -- The Pennsylvania State Grange has named Ruth Vonada, of Spring Mills, its 2026 Granger of the Year, recognizing her 54 years of membership, leadership and dedicated service to her community.
Vonada, president of Penns Valley Grange #158, was honored during the organization's 154th Annual State Session, held Oct. 15-18 in Grantville.
From preparing meals for Junior Grange campers to organizing charitable collections and sewing Christmas stockings for members of the armed forces, Vonada has devoted decades to meeting needs and bringing people together.
"Ruth represents the very best of the Grange through her generosity, leadership and willingness to help wherever she is needed," said Pennsylvania State Grange President Matt Espenshade. "Whether she is feeding our Junior Grange campers, supporting a community service project or helping a neighbor, she puts our values into action. We are proud to recognize her years of service and the example she sets for Grangers across Pennsylvania."
Vonada joined Logan Grange #109 in 1972 and has been a member of Penns Valley Grange since 2000, serving as its president since 2020. Her previous local leadership roles include secretary, lecturer and community service chairperson.
At the state level, she served on the Pennsylvania State Grange Executive Committee from 2020 to 2024, including as chairperson from 2023 to 2024. She has also served on committees supporting community service and Junior Grange programs and helped organize several state sessions, including serving as banquet chair in 2025.
Her commitment to young people is especially evident at Pennsylvania State Junior Grange Camp. As chief cook, a role she held from 2001 to 2006 and resumed in 2021, Vonada plans and prepares meals for approximately 85 to 100 campers and staff throughout the week.
Her service also reaches people far beyond the camp kitchen.
During the past year, she sewed more than 200 Christmas stockings for community service efforts. She has crocheted hundreds of squares for Hamburg Grange's Warm Up America project, which assembles blankets for people in the community, and made hats for service projects.
At St. John's Union Church, Vonada has served in leadership and educational roles, including council president, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. Her charitable work includes coordinating an annual 1,000-Can Challenge, collections of backpacks and school supplies, blanket projects and college care packages.
Vonada's connection to the Grange is also a family tradition.
In 2023, the Walters/Vonada family was recognized as a National Grange Legacy Family for five generations of membership, with Ruth and her siblings representing the third generation. She received her Golden Sheaf Award in 2022, marking 50 years of Grange membership.
About the
Pennsylvania State Grange
Founded in 1873, the Pennsylvania State Grange is a grassroots organization dedicated to strengthening rural communities through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.