Beginning January 6 at 6:00pm, the City of Vision Civitan Club will hold their first meeting in Haverland Hall at The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho. The speaker will be Skip Bleistein of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santa’s. The volunteer club has been a part of the Rio Rancho community since 2007. It’s twenty-eight members have been involved with many local non-profits including Haven House Women’s Shelter, CASA4NMKids, Storehouse West, People Helping People, Liferoots, Watermelon Ranch, Casa Esperanza, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Special Olympics, and Rio Rancho Youth Choir. The club also supports the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The research center is known worldwide for its complete, interdisciplinary approach toward the treatment and prevention of developmental disabilities, as well as its groundbreaking research.

Club meetings will be held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Generally, leaders from government, non-profits, and other organizations of interest are invited to speak at the meetings. This is intended to inform Civitans about their community and improve themselves through lifelong learning as well as of community needs and where volunteers and financial support are most needed. Guests are welcome. The club is looking to add new members who value improving their community through service in helping others. Questions about the club can be directed to Ron White, Club President, at ronwhite1@cableone.net or 505-414-4877.