Green and white balloons floated above the dining table at The Inn at Merridun on Tuesday afternoon. Everyone there had on something green, too, as they enjoyed a meal of corned beef, cabbage and vegetables prepared by the inn’s staff.

Even the desserts had a green theme.

Union Civitan — now in its 53rd year — was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a day early so green was a must.

Club members’ discussion, however, was on other topics.

Sure, it was nice to have some fun and fellowship in the spirit of the Isle of Ireland, but service to the community is what Union Civitan is all about and that’s where the conversation lay.

“People don’t know about Civitan,” said long-time club member Barbara Rippy. “People don’t know what we do.”

“We need to spread the word about Civitan,” added club member Modest Keenan, adding there is the fun side to the club, “but we also have a serious side.”

Union Civitan traces its roots to a group of 33 people who, with the assistance of Spartanburg Civitan, reorganized the club in October 1957.

Since the club’s reorganization its members have been dedicated to serving not only Union County’s developmentally disabled and handicapped but anyone who needs help.

The club’s biggest fundraisers are its annual Pancake Day — which some discussion time was lent to on Tuesday as it is slated for Thursday, March 25 — and its barbecue at Uniquely Union.

But those aren’t the only events or activities Civitans participate in or organize throughout the year.

“Union Civitan is a hidden gem, I think,” club president Henry Sparrow said last fall, adding his club does a lot in the community “under the radar.”

The now-32-member non-profit club also rings the Salvation Army bell during the Christmas season, sponsors the Union Special Olympics, holds clergy appreciation events, sponsors the Dixie Youth Baseball Team, helps with the Union Secret Santa project, assists with the special services of the Union County School District, visits residents of the Special Needs Board homes to deliver cards, flowers and a song for birthdays and contributes to the Civitan Research Center in Alabama.

And that’s just what’s on the club’s regular agenda. That’s not counting the several other projects members take on if a need arises.

Nearly all of the money raised by the group goes right back into Union County.

“We reach out in service to others,” Keenan said Tuesday.

Civitans live by their creed. It’s a creed that talks about doing the work of the world and reaching out in service to others, hearing the cry of children and the call throughout the world for peace, guidance, progress and unity and pledging to practice the Golden Rule and to build upon it a better and nobler citizenship.

“When you take that creed and put it in your heart,” Keenan said, club members spread it wherever they go. “Civitan is throughout this world.”

The club encourages anyone interested in becoming a member to contact an existing member for information. Those interested also are invited to attend one of the club’s meetings to see what it is all about.

“This is a good thing,” Rippey said.

CIVITAN CREED

I AM A CIVITAN: As old as life, as young as the rainbow, as endless as time.

MY HANDS do the work of the world and reach out in service to others.

MY EARS hear the cry of children and the call throughout the world for peace, guidance, progress and unity.

MY EYES search for others to join in the fellowship and service of Civitan.

MY MOUTH utters the call to daily duty and speaks prayers in every tongue.

MY MIND teaches me respect for law and the flag of my country.

MY HEART beats for every friend, bleeds for every injury to humanity and throbs with joy at every triumph of truth.

MY SOUL knows no fear but its own unworthiness.

MY HOPE is for a better world through Civitan.

MY MOTTO: Builders of good citizenship.

MY BELIEF: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

MY PLEDGE: To practice the Golden Rule and to build upon it a better and nobler citizenship.

CIVITAN MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Civitan worldwide is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.