Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Civitan Club celebrated 70 years of service on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Smith Center with a proclamation, resolution, remembrance of late member Harrison Dent, and recognition of member anniversaries.
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie issued a proclamation recognizing the club’s seven decades of community service and highlighting its long-standing commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The club’s contributions to the Prattville community include:
- Donating a handicapped-accessible picnic table and bench to Spillway Park
- Contributing to the city’s welcome signs
- Sponsoring the Prattville High School and Holtville Junior Civitan clubs
- Supporting inclusive youth programs such as the Prattville YMCA Field of Dreams
- Providing Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance to local families
- Supporting Dream Court, which offers tennis opportunities for individuals with special needs
“One thing is for certain,” said Gillespie. “Through various projects, the Civitan Club has made Prattville better, and those projects will make an impact for decades to come.”
Alabama Senator Clyde Chambliss also presented a resolution commemorating the milestone and the club’s legacy, which traces back to the founding of the first Civitan Club in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1917.
“For the past 70 years, the Prattville Civitan Club has been selflessly serving and inspiring many while exhibiting unwavering commitment and incredible teamwork,” Chambliss said.
Following the presentations, the club paused to honor longtime member Harrison Dent, who died on Nov. 2, 2025, from cancer.
“Harrison had a heart full of joy and personality and could light up any room,” said Johannah Munek, President of the Prattville Civitan Club. “He loved life, being around people, and he absolutely loved being celebrated—as he should.”
Munek shared a story about creating a “fathead” photo cutout of Dent to hold up at the Prattville YMCA Field of Dreams since he was unable to play. When told the original photo choice was too low quality to print, Dent laughed and said to print it anyway. That same image was presented to his family at Thursday night’s anniversary celebration.
“I think this is the perfect way to remember him,” said Munek. “It’s the last picture I have of him before his diagnosis and truly captures who he was—joyful, full of life, and absolutely radiant.”
After honoring Dent, the club recognized several members for their years of service, presenting certificates of appreciation.
For more information about the Prattville Civitan Club or to join, visit their Facebook page or email [email protected].
