Cherokee County Civitan Club Highlights Service Mission at Chamber Breakfast
CENTRE — The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce held its regularly scheduled monthly breakfast Thursday morning, March 12, on the campus of Gadsden State Community College’s Cherokee campus, with the Cherokee County Civitan Club serving as the event sponsor.
The Chamber hosts the breakfast on the second Thursday of each month at the Chamber office located on the Gadsden State Cherokee campus. Each month, a different organization or speaker sponsors the event and provides information about their work and impact within the community.
This month’s program focused on the Cherokee County Civitan Club, a local chapter of Civitan International. The organization is dedicated to serving community needs with a strong emphasis on helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The morning began with a welcome from Cherokee County Chamber Chairman Beverly Edwards, who recognized elected officials in attendance, Chamber Ambassadors for their ongoing work with the organization, and members of the Chamber board.
Mark Gossett then led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before offering a prayer and blessing for the meal. Guests then took time to eat breakfast, fellowship and network before the featured presentation began.
Cherokee County Civitan Club President Christi Trombetti delivered the morning’s presentation, providing an overview of the Civitan organization, its mission and the various ways the local chapter serves the Cherokee County community.
The Cherokee County Civitan Club is part of Civitan International, a global service organization headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The local chapter was established in 1986 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. The club is based in Cedar Bluff and primarily serves communities throughout Cherokee County.
Like Civitan clubs worldwide, the organization focuses heavily on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This mission is carried out through community service projects, financial contributions, educational support and efforts that promote awareness and inclusion.
Trombetti explained that the club’s work centers on three primary pillars: service, knowledge and fellowship.
Through service, the organization supports numerous local projects and initiatives designed to benefit individuals and families throughout the community. Over the years, the Cherokee County Civitan Club has assisted with handicap-accessible playground equipment in local parks, supported a Special Olympics “Fun Day” for local participants, and hosted a Christmas party for disabled adults.
The club also contributes to the Civitan International Research Center, which is dedicated to studying brain-related disorders such as autism, Down syndrome and Rett syndrome.
Other local contributions include scholarships for area students, donations to community organizations and support for the Jr. Civitans All-In Summit. The group also recognizes and supports special education teachers for their service to students with developmental disabilities.
Trombetti shared that she and her husband first became involved with the organization while looking for ways to become more engaged in the community. Membership in the Civitan Club was suggested to them, and they soon discovered that the organization’s mission and structure made it easy for people to participate even with busy schedules.
Meetings for the Cherokee County Civitan Club are typically held on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The group currently meets at Pop’s Smorgasboard. Meetings are designed to be casual and welcoming, with time for fellowship over dinner followed by informative guest speakers.
Trombetti noted that the organization welcomes new members and that meetings are open to anyone interested in learning more. No reservation is required to attend, and visitors are encouraged to stop by and experience a meeting firsthand. The club even covers the cost of a guest’s first meal.
Fundraising efforts play an important role in supporting the club’s service projects and charitable giving. One of the organization’s most visible projects is its patriotic flag program.
Through this initiative, businesses, individuals and organizations can sponsor an American flag to be displayed at their location during five patriotic holidays each year. The flags are placed for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, September 11 and Veterans Day.
The program has grown significantly in popularity throughout the community, but Trombetti noted that it is also labor-intensive, requiring a large team of volunteers to place and retrieve the flags for each holiday. They are put up early, and taken down the same day.
Another well-known fundraiser is the club’s Claxton Fruit Cake sale, which also helps generate funds that are later reinvested into the community through charitable giving.
Funds raised through these projects are distributed to organizations and causes that align with the Civitan mission. Locally, the Cherokee County Civitan Club supports groups and initiatives including the Education and Training Center, Cherokee County Schools, the Fun Day for Cherokee County Schools, scholarships for Cherokee County students, CAST for Kids, and Civitan International.
Additional support has been provided to community organizations such as the Child Advocacy Center of Cherokee County, Child Development, the Department of Human Resources, CED Mental Health, Extended Family and the Family Care Center.
The organization also places strong emphasis on knowledge as one of its core pillars. Members seek to better understand the needs of their communities through learning opportunities and discussions with guest speakers.
Trombetti explained that speakers at Civitan meetings often represent organizations and causes that the group supports. These presentations help members learn more about local challenges and identify areas where they can make the greatest impact.
The third pillar of the organization is fellowship. Civitan members place value on building relationships within the group and with the community they serve.
In addition to regular meetings and service projects, the club hosts several annual fellowship events. These include gatherings in the spring and during the Christmas season. In February, the group hosts a special event for local pastors and clergy, providing an opportunity for community leaders to gather for food, fellowship and entertainment.
The March Chamber breakfast sponsorship was particularly meaningful for the organization because March is recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month was established in 1987 and is an annual campaign aimed at fostering inclusion, reducing stigma and highlighting the contributions of people with developmental disabilities in communities across the country.
The 2026 theme is “We’re Here: Then, Now, Always,” which focuses on inclusion, community living and the continued progress toward equal opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The campaign, led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, emphasizes that communities are stronger when people with and without disabilities work together.
The month also raises awareness about a wide range of developmental conditions including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, ADHD, Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to participate by sharing stories, photos and information that promote understanding and inclusion.
The campaign also highlights ongoing challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities, including high unemployment rates and barriers to full participation in community life.
As the Cherokee County Civitan Club approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026, the organization continues to focus on strengthening community involvement, supporting research and advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Those interested in learning more about the Cherokee County Civitan Club can visit the organization’s Facebook page at the Cherokee County Alabama Civitan page or attend one of the group’s monthly meetings on the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Pop’s Smorgasboard in Cedar Bluff.
Club leaders encourage anyone who wants to be more involved in their community to attend a meeting, learn more about the organization’s mission and explore opportunities to serve, gain knowledge and participate in fellowship while supporting causes that benefit the Cherokee County community.
