FeedsHelp wanted
Civitans hope to enlist aid of younger members
The Plymouth Fall Festival isn’t just about raising funds. It’s also about getting the word out.
When the annual community event returns next weekend, members of the Plymouth-Canton Civitan Club said they hope visitors will take a moment to learn a little more about the group.
Known for its emphasis on volunteerism and community service, the organization has been a part of the Plymouth community for the past 36 years. The club is part of Civitan International, which was formed in 1917 to serve individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.
Club Treasurer Kathy Turnquist said that the Civitans are very active in their support of organizations like Special Olympics and Cooke School in Northville. However, the club’s interests are wide and varied, ranging from an annual essay contest to an adopt-a-street program and everywhere in between.
To keep up the pace, the group is interested in bringing the next generation of Civitans into the fold. She said that the problem the group continually runs up against is the hectic schedules with which many prospective members are taxed.
“Young people are so active,” she said. “They work long hours; they play hard; they have their families.”
That means even though the community is often generous financially, it can be difficult to find individuals who have the volunteer hours to make those projects into a reality, she said.
In fact, that’s part of the challenge that could cause the organization’s role at the Plymouth Fall Festival to change next year.
“This is probably our last year to be so heavily involved,” Turnquist said. “We’re going to be cutting back tremendously.”
The club has been a part of the Fall Festival “since the beginning” and Turnquist said that the club does plan to stay involved. Next year, however, she said that the group might need to find a less labor-intensive product like walking tacos to sell. The problem, she said, is that the group is getting a little older and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to work around challenges such as hauling in the heavy freezers and other equipment needed for the Yaki Tori sandwiches they have typically sold each year.
Now, the Plymouth-Canton Civitan Club is actively searching for individuals interested in giving back to the community through community service who can help perpetuation its legacy of volunteerism and philanthropy. The group is open to everyone and members need not be residents of the Plymouth or Canton communities.
Individuals interested in learning more about the Plymouth-Canton Civitan Club can find more information—and members who are willing to chat—at the club booth. Those who would rather inquire outside the festival hours can visit the website at www.civitan.net/plymouthmich or contact Turnquist at (734) 459-1896. Club meetings are traditionally scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month.
