Civitans kept quite busy during the month of October, changing lives for the better in their communities. 

In the United States, the Dublin Civitan Club in Georgia and the ACTION Civitan Club in Alabama built wheelchair ramps.  Civitan of Lenawee in Michigan got in the Halloween spirit by preparing treats for some nearby group homes serving people with disabilities while the Tulsa Community College Campus Civitans in Oklahoma put together hundreds of goodie bags for local agencies, in lieu of its Halloween Carnival it holds each year. In Canada, the Lanark and District Civitan Club offered up its club house as a hosting site for a flu vaccine clinic.  The Almonte Civitan Club held its annual Apple Pie and Crisp fundraiser that will help members conduct their service projects for the coming year.  In India, three new Civitan clubs chartered in the southern part of the country that will support needs of young people and those facing mental health challenges.   In Norway, Civitan Club Holmestrand and Gyda spruced up a sensory garden at a local nursing home.

For our youngest participants, October is a chance to celebrate World Junior Civitan Day.  The Union County Junior Civitan Club in South Carolina spent this past weekend cleaning up a local park, while the El Camino Junior Civitan Club in California did the same at a local beach. Students with the Burlington and Halton Junior Civitan Clubs in the Canadian West District carved pumpkins and then donated them to a local agency serving people with developmental disabilities.  Truly, Civitans are champions of service, even in the midst of health emergencies and conflicts!

As a whole, Civitans also made a difference in October through International priorities and projects.   The $20 million goal set to support the Civitan International Research Center was reached this calendar year.  While it’s something to celebrate, the organization’s support of the flagship project will continue into the coming years.  Just this month already, more than $12,000 has come in through our Civitans in the Helm program to help us support the CIRC with one of the largest donations coming from the Sun City Civitan Club in Georgia.  In the past few months, Civitan International also fulfilled college scholarships for 12 former Junior Civitans and current Civitans who are in school.  One of the ways this program is supported is through the Civitan International Fellows Program.  Just last week, the Phenix City Civitan Club purchased a Fellow in honor of past Alabama Central Governor and club member Dimple Davis.

Despite challenges, Civitans are doing the work of the world.  It’s a great time for others to join us and make a difference.  For help in recruitment drives or service project/meeting ideas during the pandemic, email growth@civitan.org or call 1-800-CIVITAN.