What is Civitan? Civitan International is an association of over 1000 community service clubs in the United States, Canada, and twenty-two additional countries. Each club determines the nature of its community service, but internationally there is an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. The most visible evidence of that is a twenty year commitment of twenty million dollars for the Civitan International Research Center, part of the medical complex at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The website of Civitan International is www.civitan.org.
Tell me about the Local Club.. The Athens Civitan Club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month for lunch at The Oak Room on Depot Drive. Among the community service projects of the club are:
* organizing an annual chair volleyball tournament for senior citizens
* providing volunteers at the summer games of Special Olympics Ohio
* cooking and serving dinners at United Campus Ministries four times each year
* recognizing outstanding Athens County Teens and a Citizen of the Year
* helping with WOUB fund drives and the Friends of the Libraries Read-A-Thon.
In the spring the club helps with Area 8 Special Olympics games at Alexander High School where we staff the shot put venue. Here are some slides from 2008:
The Athens Civitan Club also helps local organizations. Recently they purchased an outdoors bench for the use of those who work at ATCO.
The Bench: Jay, Ed, Sharon, Jason, Jason, Joyce, Randy, and Dave pose in front of the bench.
What is the Mission of the Club? The mission of the Athens Civitan Club is to provide opportunities for its members to serve the needs of the Athens community, to learn about the Athens Area, and to engage in fellowship.
Does the Club have Interesting Programs? Yes, indeed. Four recent programs have included a discussion of the town of Eclipse, the National Business Incubation Association, the AFROTC program at Ohio University, and Athens County Children Services.
 Cecilia Rinaldi talks about the history of Eclipse. |
Randy Morris describes the National Business Incubation Association |
Col Coulter describes the AFROTC program
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Sherri Oliver talks about Athens County Children Services |
Citizen of the Year. The Athens Civitan Club recognized Bob Eichenberg as its 2007 Citizen of the Year for Athens County at a dinner meeting of Civitan Clubs in southeast Ohio and West Virginia on April 5. Bob, in addition to being Athens County Planner, is involved in a number of programs and activities designed to improve life in Athens, ranging from bike trails, to creek restoration, to the preservation of an old coal mining town.
Bob receives recognition plaque from Past International President of Civitan, Ed Baum
For a calendar for 2008-2009, click on the following: Calendar
For additional information contact the club president, Randy Morris (rmorris@nbia.org, 593-9887)
