We are members of the Cleveland Civitan Club. Kelsey Nichols is our local president for 2024- 2025. Our passion is leadership! Our mission is to make a difference in people’s lives who have a developmental disability. We do this through sponsorship of the local Special Olympics, and activities (e.g., golf tournament and Aubrey’s pancake breakfast) that increase social awareness of the needs of developmentally disabled citizens. All monies from these activities go to support local special-needs programs.
Our club was chartered as a non-profit in 1976 in the State of Tennessee. A major civic project was the all-inclusive playground built in 1990. The playground was the first of its kind to bring children of all abilities together. A community supported total renovation of the playground was completed by Cleveland Civitan in 2024. It is located at Stuart Elementary School on Keith Street in Cleveland.
We work with community volunteers and leaders of Cleveland to increase awareness about local citizens who have a developmental disability. One way we work to get the community involved is through the Cleveland Special Olympics! We hope that you plan on coming this year. The event is May 3, 2025 at Cleveland Middle School @ 10:00 a.m. Many people tell us that they leave with a feeling that their lives are somehow changed when they watch the athletes compete with such energy and passion.
The great thing is, we have a special joy knowing that we are helping to increase the quality of life for those who have so much to offer to our local community. We do not get funding from Civitan International, but we are proud to tell you that the money we raise locally for children and adults with development and intellectual disabilities goes to help support local programs in Cleveland and Bradley and Polk County.
We would love for you to join us. For more information, please contact us on our Facebook page. If you would like to make a donation for Special Olympics, please click the donate button below or mail a check to Community Foundation of Ocoee Region, P.O. Box 4474 Cleveland, TN 37320