With 21 charter members signed up and more prospects on the list, the Georgiana Civitan Club is off to a good start.

“Ya’ll rock!” said an excited Tami Awe of the Enterprise Civitan Club, sponsor for the fledgling organization, when she heard the news.

“I am so excited and honored to be a part of this great group of people who are coming together for their community,” Awe said.

Members of both the Enterprise and Camellia City Civitan Clubs were on hand at last week’s informational/recruitment meeting (the second in a series of six weekly meetings) to offer advice, encouragement and moral support.

And many of the Georgiana citizens who are charter members, or who are considering becoming members, had one main thing on their mind: helping their community.

“I think it’s time the people of Georgiana do something to help the people of Georgiana,” said Lisa Lowe, Georgiana city council member and a charter member of Civitan.

“We really need more things for our children, because, right now – we have nothing,” said charter member Jessica Ward.

Other attendees expressed concerns about better meeting the needs of the elderly in the city and making efforts to revitalize the community.

Merrily Serota, field director for Civitan, said she was excited to see action already happening in the Georgiana area regarding the new club.

“We are looking for 30 members,” Serota said. “Those 30 charter members will bring $500 in seed money from Civitan International and that can go a long way.”

Jim Smith, governor of the Alabama West-Florida District and a Pensacola Civitan, said he was impressed by what he had seen of Georgiana during his tour of the town.

“I can see this once was a tremendous city, prosperous and booming. My prayer is that it will be booming once again,” Smith said. “There are many benefits of civic organizations in a community . . . our special focus is on serving people with developmental disabilities. Collectively, we can do so much more within our communities than we can do alone. With Civitan, the local clubs determine their chosen projects and what to do with their time. Once you become involved in a club, you become a citizen aware of the needs out there and you have an organized way to help meet them.”

A third meeting is planned for Thursday night, July 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church on Highway 106 in Georgiana. Snacks and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Byron Ward at 334-453-0047, Jimmy Russell, 334-437-1085 or Merrily Serota at 205-541-4427.