For nearly 40 years, Winchester Civitan has allowed children to play sports for free. Now, it aims to go even farther as the group recently started raising funds to purchase land to build a youth sports complex.

Janna Campbell, president of Winchester Civitan, said while it may take a few years or longer, the sports complex would include a football field, basketball court and more. The sports complex would be open to the public as well.

The Winchester native said Civitan offers free football, basketball and cheerleading for children in the community.

“There’s no charge for them to play,” Campbell said.

Sixth, fifth, fourth, third and — for the first time this year — second graders can take part in one of the sports Civitan offers. Civitan is just starting its football season and will head into signups for its basketball season in November.

“We do try to open it up to as much as we can,” Campbell said.

Each year, participation grows, Campbell said, which is why Civitan members decided to open some of the sports up to second graders. Civitan offers uniforms, pads and more for its players.

“The only thing we’ve ever charged for is insurance,” Campbell said. “But I think it’s $3.”

Campbell said Civitan had sustained itself over the years through charging a small entry fee to its games. The organization is also entirely volunteer-based.

“From now until the first part of November, every Sunday is on the football field,” Campbell said.

Civitan could always use more volunteers, Campbell said, adding people can message her or join the group on Facebook for more information on joining.

“If somebody could give five hours a month of their time, that’s all we need,” Campbell said. “We just need some help.”

Campbell said building the sports complex would ensure Civitan athletes always have a space, as it can be hard to secure a location to play when several other sports, whether it be through the school system or Upward, need places to play, too.

On Oct. 19, Civitan is hosting its first Casino Night and buffet at the Wainscott building on Wainscott Avenue.

“It is for entertainment purposes only,” Campbell said. “… There will be a silent auction.”

The entry fee for the Casino Night and buffet fundraiser is $30 a person, $50 a couple or $200 per table. There will also be a cash bar. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to play Black Jack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold ’em and more throughout the evening. All proceeds go toward funding the sports complex.

“I’d like to see the community come together and help us raise money to build this complex because it’s not just going to benefit us, it’s going to be there to benefit not only the children but the community itself,” Campbell said. “… It’s not for Civitan. It’s for the community. Everything we do is for the community.”

Campbell said the goal is to have the sports complex up and ready in five years; though, she expects it may take longer to raise funds unless they receive some larger donations.

“It’s not going to be an easy thing to do,” Campbell said.

Campbell said she is proud to be a part of an organization that gives back to children. The national Civitan organization helps fund research to find cures for children’s diseases.

“So that’s what made me join,” Campbell said. “… One of the things that they stress to us is having a servant’s heart.”

Campbell said she loves seeing the growth of all 340 plus children involved in Civitan. It changes them.

“I think they make friends,” Campbell said. “They learn discipline. I think they learned a lot of respect.”

For some children, Civitan is the start of a lifelong passion for sports. That’s one thing Civitan prides itself for is being a feeder program for local schools. Many athletes start in Civitan as children and head into sports at Robert D. Campbell Junior High School and George Rogers Clark High School.

“You have some of these kids that their eyes light up,” Campbell said. “It’s something they’re going to keep forever.”

Campbell said she also enjoys watching the coaches form bonds with the children.

“They made the kids enjoy it,” she said. “And they teach them so much. And it’s amazing to see the change that they can make in these kids. And it’s not just one. I mean, the football coaches have somewhere between 28 and 32 kids per team. They make a difference in these kids.”

Being involved in Civitan has even changed Campbell, she said.

“I think I have more of a servant’s heart,” she said. “… After five years of volunteering, day in and day out, I appreciate what people who volunteer and give their time to do now more than I ever did. I see what a difference it makes. And if I hadn’t seen the difference that it makes in these kids lives, I wouldn’t still volunteer … I respect people more now that do this because this is a thankless job … It makes me want to do more.”