Sertoma International is a federation of 600-plus clubs, representing approximately 20,000 successful civic leaders - men and women alike - who are dedicated to volunteerism, and SERvice TO MAnkind. Over the past ninety-five years, individual members have brought together their talents and joined the collective experiences of thousands to chart a unique course of action for community service.
The primary sponsorship for Sertoma International is Speech and Hearing. Annually, Sertoma Clubs throughout the nation contribute millions of dollars and hours to help people with communicative disorders. The Capital City Club, chartered in 1985, is no exception. The club regularly provides hearing assistance to one or more economically disadvantaged hearing impaired students in the Wake County Public School System. We provide scholarships for deaf and hard of hearing youth to attend summer camp. We have also provided financial support to the Speech and Hearing Clinic at Shaw University, enabling therapeutic treatment to special youngsters and needed testing for preschoolers from the surrounding areas. Just this year the club endowed a scholarship fund for the university honoring Dr. Cleon F. Thompson, Jr., a renowned educator and administrator, and a Charter Member of Capital City Sertoma.
However, we have extended our reach with an acute focus on youth development. Some of our major activities in this area are:
- Exposure of preschoolers from impoverished neighborhoods to the creative development experiences provided by PLAYSPACE, Inc.
- Regular contributor to the Garner Road YMCA Back-A-Child Campaign.
- An annual Academic Achievers Recognition Banquet, honoring the African American graduating senior from each of Wake County's high schools with the highest GPA. The audience is composed of approximately 300 elementary and middle school students - and parents - and selected youth groups around the city involving youngsters who may not come from motivating environments. Our goal: model achievement and overall success for these young students.
- Financial support for the Helping Hands Project operated by the Wake County Public School System. The project seeks to assist young black males in the development process through the use of personal models and a highly focused set of activities.
- Support for Serteen Clubs at middle and high schools and Collegiate Clubs at the college/university level to foster community service and development of leadership skills.
The work of the club continues to gain visibility and recognition in the community. The membership is gaining valuable community service experience and has come to treasure the satisfaction that comes with realizing the positive impact of our efforts on the lives of others.
Service to others is one of the enduring strengths of our nation. True to its mission Capital City Sertoma is "Making Life Worthwhile, Through Service to Mankind".
For more information about SERTOMA International, please visit www.sertoma.org.
