Civitan Clubs Honor Clergy Members For Service To Community

DULUTH, GA -- About 30 clergy members were honored Tuesday for their service by the Johns Creek and Duluth Civitan clubs.

Civitan clubs around the world recognize clergy of all faiths for their service to their communities during the annual Clergy Appreciation Week, which is inspired by the heroism of four U.S. Army chaplains during World War II who worked together to evacuate soldiers and ultimately gave their lives.

The clergy members were recognized during an appreciation breakfast held Feb. 7 at Rainbow Village in Duluth. Tuesday's featured speaker was Clyde Strickland, a high-profile philanthropic leader in Gwinnett County.

Civitan International is an organization of community service clubs with about 40,000 members across four continents. Each club works to help others and fulfill needs in their community, with a special emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.

Civitans also continue this mission through fundraising for the UAB Civitan International Research Center, a world-class medical facility dedicated to researching developmental disabilities and other cognitive disorders.

Photo: Clyde Strickland was the guest speaker at Tuesday's ceremony honoring about 30 clergy members. Credit: Grant Hickey