Nonprofit leaders, first responders, ministers and members of the community reflected on and celebrated the impact of the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club at Dumont Plaza on Tuesday as part of Civitan Impact Awareness Day.

 

Kim Houston, president of the Civitan Club, said the national Civitan mission is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but the local club does much more than that. Over the past year, she said, the club helped fund local nonprofit organizations with more than $15,000 in grants awarded, recognized first responders with a luncheon at Velma Young Community Center, donated inclusive playground equipment for Highland Park and much, much more.

 

“We’re doing a lot, and today we’re raising awareness,” she said. “We’re trying to get members, we’re trying to let people know we’re here, we’re active, we’re engaged in the community, and hey, we’re not going anywhere.”

 

Meridian Police Chief Deborah Naylor Young said officers don’t always have time to sit and enjoy a meal during their shifts, and the first responder luncheon organized by the Civitan Club was greatly appreciated. The club also approached MPD with an offer to assist in buying body cameras, she said.

 

“They did offer to assist us with buying body cameras, but at the time, we already had a grant that was being circulated for us to get those body cameras,” she said.

 

Meridian Fire Chief Michael Evans also shared his department’s appreciation for the Civitan Club’s efforts for both the city’s firefighters and the community.

 

Houston said the club wants to thank the city’s first responders for all their work helping those in need and keeping the community safe.

 

“We want to thank you all so much because those first responders, they run toward things that we run away from,” she said. “And I know the pay is probably not worth what you all do, so we appreciate your heart to serve in that capacity.”

 

Rosalind Operton, assistant superintendent of student support at Meridian Public School District, said the Civitan Club also helped meet the needs of special education students within the district. The club helped sponsor a sneaker ball, which gave special needs students an opportunity to dress up, she said.

 

“It was phenomenal. The parents were in tears because they got to see their children dressed up, dancing and being treated just like everybody else,” she said. “And in case you did not know, all does mean all. All of our children are worthy, and all of our children should have the best.”

 

Operton said the Civitan Club also donated a washer and dryer to the district for special needs students to utilize when needed. Students sometimes come to school with dirty clothes or have an accident of some type that needs to be cleaned up, she said.

 

“We want to thank you because in the Meridian Public School District, we know that we cannot be who we are without the community, and you all are going above and beyond, and we appreciate what you do,” she said.

 

Also sharing Tuesday about the Civitan Club’s impact were representatives from L.O.V.E.S. Kitchen, the Center for Pregnancy Choices, The Salvation Army, Meridian Parks and Recreation, New Beginnings Adult Day Care, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and more.

 

Each year, the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club’s biggest annual fundraiser, which allows the group to make its impact in the community, is pecan sales, which are normally available at local bank branches. Those pecans pay for the grants, playground equipment, food for first responders and more, Houston said, and everyone is encouraged to buy a bag of pecans to support a good cause.

 

The Civitan Club is also looking for new members to help grow the group’s impact in the Meridian and Lauderdale County area. Open to both women and men, more information about membership can be found online at civitan.org.