Informational meetings are planned to introduce the idea of a new service club forming locally.

With a mission to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization to serve the community, Civitan International wants to have a presence in Dawson County.

Members of the Cumming Civitan Club invite residents in Dawsonville, Big Canoe and Dahlonega to join them for lunch at noon today at Ryan's Steak House in Dawsonville to learn more about the organization, which focuses much of its attention on special needs children.

Dianne Hansard has been a member of the Cumming Civitan club for more than 23 years. She's also the Georgia District of Civitan International Governor.

"I have a 25-year-old special needs grandson ... 30 years ago, special needs people stayed home. They weren't allowed to go out and be seen. I've seen a lot of changes in my 23 years," she said.

She loves being involved with the organization and is proud of the work the group does in communities across the world.

"I love it. I love going out with these children and getting the hugs and watching them have fun and watching them grow up," she said.

The group will also meet for lunch at noon on March 12 in hopes of drumming up additional interest.

For more information, call Terry Crouch at (678) 242-0445 or email ltcrouc@attglobal.net.