BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The Bluefield Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser, Rally to Rise, will not only raise money for Rotary’s community projects this year, it will also honor the late philanthropist and community leader Bea Paine.
The Rally to Rise Celebrating the Legacy of Bea Paine is set for Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Bluefield Arts Center.
Paine, who was a Registered Nurse and served in the Cadet Nurse Corps formed during World War II, was a member of the Bluefield Rotary for decades and worked tirelessly for many community projects, including saving the old Bluefield City Hall building and rededicating it as the Bluefield Arts and Science Center, now the Bluefield Arts Center.
The Paine Art Gallery in the center is named in Paine’s honor.
Connie Saunders, President of Saunders Staffing in Bluefield and Foundation Chair for the Rotary Club, said the rally is important for the club and the city because of all the projects the money raised is used for.
This year, it is a timely because the rally is going to raise funds to help local victims of Hurricane Helene.
But the rally is also about honoring a person devoted to the betterment of Bluefield.
“We talked about who came to mind in that part of all of this, and it had to be Bea Paine.”
Saunders said Paine was a person who would not give up on a worthwhile project and broke barriers as the first female Rotary District Governor in West Virginia as well as the first female member of the Bluefield City Board.
“I think Bluefield is coming back. Bluefield is growing. We have all kinds of exciting things. Come and be part of the future of Bluefield and celebrate Bea Paine’s legacy.”
The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and include food provided by David’s Downtown, a cash bar, music, a silent auction and a chance to win cash prizes.
Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at Saunders Staffing at 400 North Street in Bluefield, at [email protected] or from a member of the Rotary Club.
A native of Poquoson, Va., Paine moved to Bluefield in 1950 with her husband, Dr. Jim Paine, who is now 102 and still lives in Bluefield.
In 1977, Bea became the first woman ever elected to the Bluefield City Board, a position she would hold for 16 years, serving as vice mayor eight of those years.
Besides being the driving force behind the creation of the Bluefield Arts Center, she initiated a “Sister City” program with Lithgow, Australia, started Project Graduation at BHS along with Herb Simms, organized the city’s Centennial celebration, was instrumental in bringing the Ridge Runner railroad from East River Mountain to City Park and established the Fitness Trail at City Park.
Paine, who was also a pilot, served on many boards and in many capacities in local organizations.
She passed away in November 2022 at age 96.
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