Birmingham, Alabama — Civitan International raised more than $275,000 to benefit medical research for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in July through two events held in conjunction with its annual convention. The 2018 Civitan International Convention, which was held in Reno from July 22 to July 25, 2018, hosted two fundraising events—The Civitan Breakthru Golf Benefit and the Civitan Putt-N-Chip Fest. The events raised $225,000 and $52,000 before expenses respectively.

Both events benefit the Civitan International Research Center, based in Birmingham, Alabama, which is a world-renown research center for a variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities such as autism, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, and many more issues which impact the lives of as many as one out of six people globally.

The presenting sponsor of this year’s Civitan Breakthru Golf Benefit was Exfluor Research Corporation, of Round Rock, Texas. Golf participants raised money throughout the year to participate in the event.

“We totally believe in the need to find cures and treatments for developmental and intellectual disabilities,” said Debbie Juhlke of Exfluor. “As a corporation, we believe in giving back and Civitan International is working to support a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.”

The Civitan Putt-N-Chip Fest was sponsored by I-Deal Tickets, of Maryville, Tennessee. The event consisted of an indoor putt putt golf course, various carnival games, and a chip challenge which allowed participants to compete for prizes while promoting awareness for various disabilities.

“We are grateful to our sponsors because not only does their gift help us raise the most money for our cause, it also shows they too believe people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve support, respect, and dignity,” said Scarlet Thompson, Executive Vice President of Civitan International.

The 2019 Civitan International Convention will be held in Greenville, South Carolina from July 3 to July 6, 2019. Both events will be featured during the convention to raise funds for the Civitan International Research Center, the flagship program of Civitan International. To learn more about the Breakthru Golf Benefit, visit www.civitanbreakthru.com and for more information on the Putt and Chip Fest, visit www.civitanfest.com.

Civitan International was founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1917 and builds local service clubs in communities around the world. The primary focus of Civitan is service to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. To learn more about Civitan International, or to join a club near you, visit www.civitan.org