Civitan was founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1917. Its founder and first president was Dr. Courtney W. Shropshire, a prominent Birmingham physician.
Civitan International is a worldwide community service organization of men, women, and teenagers in 34 countries on four continents jopining together to perform community service projects.
Civitan provides opportunities for personal and professional growth through teamwork.
Civitan emphasizes helping people with developmental disabilities. However, Civitan Clubs perform a variety of service projects that address the unique needs of their communities.
Civitan International World Headquarters is located in Birmingham, Alabama and provides numerous support services to clubs.
Civitan's most recognizable fundraising program is the Civitan Candy Box Project. The project is serviced by volunteers, and all net proceeds benefit people with disabilities.
There have been many well-known men and women that were Civitans. Here are just a few of them:
Government/Military
Thomas Edison
President Calvin Coolidge
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
President John F. Kennedy
President Harry Truman
President William Clinton (Junior Civitan)
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ed Sanford
WWI General John J. Pershing
Astronaut James Irwin
Entertainers/Athletes
Richard Petty (Professional Race Car Driver)
Cindy Harrell (Model)
Eddy Arnold (Musician)
Bobby Eakes (Soap Opera Actor)
Bo Jackson (Professional Athlete)
Frank Thomas (Professional Athlete)