"Light" and "fire" are terms that can be used to describe life and spirit. Lanterns support the light; allowing light to breathe life and spirit into dark areas. The parents of clients, staff, volunteers and donors at the Civitan Foundation are the lanterns that promote and help foster the growth and development of the"flame" or "light" in each client at the Foundation.
Civitan's annual Lanterns Under the Stars event celebrates 40 years of building a stronger community for those with developmental disabilities by honoring and acknowledging the contributions of some of the Foundation’s greatest supporters, volunteers and community partners.
Be sure to join us in 2009 as we highlight the history of our past and the vision of the future for the Civitan Foundation.
2009 HONOREES
This year’s event was held on September 26, 2009 at Monterra at Westworld. The following individuals and organization were honored at our 2009 event:
Lanterns of Empowerment Award – Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust 
A private independent foundation, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust honors Virginia Galvin Piper’s philanthropic commitment to changing lives and strengthening community in Maricopa County (Arizona). By investing in nonprofits and encouraging strategic planning for the future, Piper Trust strives to make Maricopa County a stronger, more nurturing and vibrant community. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has invested more than $250 million in local nonprofits and programs. The Trust had total grants paid of $23.8 million in fiscal year 2009. Piper Trust grantmaking areas are healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education and religious organizations.
In 2008 the Civitan Foundation was the recipient of a special “Boomers Initiative” from the Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust. This money was used to train, recruit and hire “baby boomers” to work with the families and clients we serve. This grant has helped us to expand our workforce, uphold high levels of staff quality and great dependability. Seniors deserve the chance to engage in work that is fulfilling and appropriate to their stage of life, as well as being remunerative.
Lanterns of Enrichment Award – Teaumen & Grace Fuite Foundation Grace Fuite was a long time Arizona resident until her passing in 2008, and very active in the banking community. She supported various community programs. Five years ago Mrs. Fuite was introduced to the Civitan Foundation, at which time she began sharing her generosity with us. Annually her gifts have helped build and develop programs that have enriched countless individuals with disabilities in the community we serve. We are honored her foundation has continued to support Civitan’s mission.
Lanterns in Our Community Award – Williams Food Bank Guy & 
Angie Mikkelsen moved to Williams in 1992 when Guy accepted a position as manager of the St. Agnes Apartments In 2004 the closure of 3 small food pantries left Williams without any local emergency food assistance. One pantry in particular had built a weekly gleaning relationship with 5 local grocery stores. Guy & Angie saw the importance of keeping that rapport going and with the blessing of the apartment’s parent company, the Foundation for Senior Living; the Williams Food Bank began in the community room of the apartment complex. Through many stages and milestones since that time the program has matured from a modest food pantry able to provide for a small number of senior citizens into a valuable community resource able to help a great many families throughout the year. The program now has over 450 households on its roster and gives out nearly 1/4 million pounds of food & supplies. An anonymous donation of approximately $70,000 was granted to the Williams Food Bank for the construction of a new a building in 2008.
The Civitan Foundation has been a partner with the Arizona Nutrition Network for the past 5 years. We are pleased that the Williams Food Bank has helped us achieve our nutrition education program goals. Angie and Guy would welcome the campers with open arms each week with a tour of the facility, and help educate and teach our campers about the importance of the food bank and how it helps those in need. To further strengthen our community relationships the Civitan Foundation joined the Arizona Partnership to End Childhood Hunger. Through this program our clients organized a food and school supply drive. The clients were able to assemble and distribute food and supply baskets to the families who visit the Williams Food Bank. Not only did this help support the food bank it also empowered our clients to make a difference in their communities.
2008 HONOREES
Lanterns of Empowerment Award – St. Lukes Health Initiative
Lanterns of Enrichment Award – Jo-Ann & Jim Armstong
Lanterns in Our Community Award – SCYSAC Sun Cities/Youngtown Special Activity Center
Lanterns for Life Award – Ed Trapp
