|
Local man to take Civitan presidency
By MARY JANE PARK
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 14, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG -- As a young adult, Eva Wilhelmsen's younger brother joined a theater group for developmentally disabled children. He has Down's syndrome, and the ensemble's leader was active in Civitan, a community service club focused on people who have mental and developmental disabilities.
That introduction more than 20 years ago led Wilhelmsen and her husband, Yngvar, to organize a group in her hometown, Ski, Norway, just outside Oslo. Today, she heads Civitan International and spoke Wednesday at the St. Petersburg club.
Her time with Civitan has given her faith: "I have seen it's possible to do something when people come together."
Curt Thomas, president of the Pinellas Association of Retarded Children, will succeed Wilhelmsen as head of Civitan.
Thomas' wife, Peggy, and daughter Barb are Civitans, and Barb Thomas will lead the St. Petersburg club while her father has the international presidency.
Back to St. Petersburg area news
© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111
|
