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The Camellia City Civitan Club marked its 70th anniversary on May 19 with a celebratory meal and heartfelt reflections from members, held at Beeland Park in Greenville. The club, which serves as the local chapter of Civitan International, has spent seven decades dedicated to community service and uplifting others through hands-on initiatives and enduring friendships.

“We have had several big fundraisers,” said Secretary/Treasurer Melissa Whiddon. “One is onions, two is fruitcakes and then the flags. With the flags we put out probably about 120 a year, ten times a year. And they are gorgeous when they’re flying down Main Street.”

Founded in 1955, the Camellia City Civitan Club is part of Civitan International, a service organization that originated in Birmingham in 1917. With over 16,000 members worldwide, Civitan is known for its commitment to local projects and its flagship initiative, the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC), which focuses on research and treatment of developmental disabilities such as autism, Rett syndrome and seizure disorders.

Whiddon detailed the club’s tangible impact over the years. 

“As far as my records go back, we have sold 3,560 bags of onions…we have given away over $27,000 worth of scholarships and we have sold over 27,368 pounds of fruitcake. That’s a lot of fruitcakes,” Whiddon said. “But by having those fundraisers, it has enabled us to do a lot of the service projects that we do.”

Among the local organizations supported by the Civitan Club are Pilots for Christ, Healthy Kids, Joseph Ministries, the Greenville Public Library and Special Olympics. Members have also backed efforts like the Greenville Arts Council, Butler County Natural Resources Camp, Hope Afield, Trinity’s Closet and Safe Harbor.

Judge Advocate Johnny Autrey shared memories of one of the club’s more personal projects. 

“The one that was real near and dear to me was the Harding University Citizenship Conference that we sent kids to for several years,” Autrey said. “Two of my sons got to go to that citizenship convention and one of them has told me several times that that was one of the best things he got to participate in when he was in high school.”

Autrey also recalled a major fundraising campaign for the Civitan International Research Center. “We were going to put candy boxes out all over the country as an international project and sell those little pieces of candy,” Autrey said. “It took us a little more than 20 years, but we went a little bit more than $30 million on that project.”

Reflecting on his own experience, member Justin Pierce said, “Wow, 70 years. That is a long time, and there is so much to be proud of for our group.” Pierce, a former president of the club, emphasized the importance of participation. “Being a member of a small civic club, you realize that if you wanted the club to make a difference, then it meant that you actually had to go out and do some of the work yourself.”

“The beliefs and goals for Civitan really are an extension of the Christian service and way of life, and I’m so glad that I have been able to be a part of it,” Pierce added.