Members of the Burbank Civitan Club once again rolled out the green carpet to members, guests and local dignitaries as they staged their annual St. Patrick's Day Champagne Brunch at the Castaway this past Sunday. A Burbank tradition, once celebrated at the now-gone Genio's Restaurant, this year saw over 250 Civitans and their supporters gather for the 41st time to honor the patron saint of Ireland, while also tipping their green derby hats to the organization's 57th year of service to the community.
St. Patrick's Day has always had a special significance to Burbank Civitans being as their charter was granted on March 17, 1955. Since then, the group has provided both monetary and in-kind support for numerous organizations including BCR “A Place to Grow” (formerly Burbank Center for the Retarded) and the Burbank Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department's annual Baseball Jamboree that stages an annual parade of decorated trucks and cars that carry hundreds of local players and Special Olympics participants through the streets of Burbank to Izay Park. The club also works to raise funds to benefit the international organization of Civitan Clubs that support the Research Center for Mental Retardation in Birmingham, Ala.