> Topeka Civitan Celebrating 50 Years of Service

The Topeka Civitan Club recently celebrated 50 years of community service by the organization and its members. The Topeka chapter of Civitan International was chartered June 27th, 1957 with twenty-seven members. The primary mission of the club is to support people with developmental and mental disabilities. Members of Topeka Civitan actively serve the community, volunteering throughout the year and raising funds for local organizations such as TARC, Sheltered Living, Casa and many more.

Since its inception, the Topeka Civitan Club has donated over $100,000 to TARC, provides volunteers for the Special Olympics and has donated a tree to Sheltered Living’s “Festival of Trees”. Further, volunteers also contribute to the “Casa Home Tours” and other events throughout the community.

Civitan was formed in 1917 a month and eleven days prior to the start of World War I and is now one of the world’s leading volunteer service organizations, with over 45,000 men women and youth members in 24 countries.

Civitan adopted its namesake from the Latin word “Civitas” which means citizenship. The club motto became “Builders of Good Citizenship” The club’s founders, business professionals and leaders of the community shared a concern for what was happening in the world and felt a strong responsibility to make the world a better place.

Since its inception, Civitans immediately rallied behind the soldiers during World War I, assisting not only our soldiers but meeting the express needs of the communities they would return to. Civitans worked with tuberculosis patients, crippled children and those facing mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Over the years, playgrounds, camps, hospitals and lodges have been built by Civitans.