From Civitan on the Pamlico

Civitan on the Pamlico civic organization held its third annual “Civitan Picnic on the Pamlico” on Sept. 11, at Havens Gardens. Residents from group homes within Beaufort County are invited to this fun-filled annual event. Beaufort County has several group homes that house individuals with varying degrees of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, approximately 40 residents and caregivers from the Community Living Group Homes were served. Civitan club members provided a hot dog dinner with all the fixings, side dishes, dessert, drinks, games and fellowship. Club members solicited food donations from Food Lion, Piggly Wiggly, Coca-Cola and also from various club members, allowing the club to offer the event free-of-charge.

Club President Janice LaBarbera said, “The picnic is a great opportunity for our club to provide some enrichment to the lives of our group home residents.”

The residents, along with their caregivers, enjoy this occasion to fellowship in a scenic environment and also to fellowship with residents and caregivers from other group homes. “It gives our club great pleasure to see the smiles on their faces and watch them enjoy playing corn hole and other games,’ LaBarbera added. “This year, the favorite activity was playing with the water guns. It was a hot afternoon and they really enjoyed cooling each other off, as well as a few club members.”

Civitan on the Pamlico is a member of Civitan International, whose mission statement is “To build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.”

Civitan on the Pamlico meets the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at The Blind Center of North Carolina and the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at LaBella’s restaurant in Washington. New members are welcome.