Many of the area's premier festivals were begun by some civic club somewhere who felt the need to celebrate frogs or catfish or sugar cane, and decided to invite the world and raise money for a good cause. Much of Mardi Gras' merriment is tied to civic clubs, who stage parties, balls, courirs and parades to raise money for projects and civic awareness for pride. Take, for example, the Lafayette Ladies Civitan Club, which joined Civitans around the world in celebrating Civitan Awareness Month recently. The club's members turn their hand to a variety of projects throughout the year, including holding a barbecue for the residents of the Alleman Center Home, throwing Mardi Gras parties for nursing home residents and honoring clergy at their regular twice-monthly meetings. They also bring birthday gifts and school supplies to the shelter for its young residents.
Civitan members make great huggers.
According to Dina Segura of the club's board of directors, the work done by the local club spreads around the globe. Located at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the center touches the lives of more than 20,000 families each year. If you'd like to learn more about the local club, call Segura at 856-1742.