Arts and crafts, bounce houses, swimming, a Zumba-thon, some healthy snacks, free T-shirts for the first 200 guests and, of course, birthday cake, were all part of a celebration held at the Campo Family YMCA in commemoration of the facility’s 10 years of operation in strengthening the foundations of the greater Brandon community.
“Our staff has worked with our volunteers and members to make a real lasting impact in this community,” said Cindy Sofarelli, group vice president. “We’ve supported and developed our local kids and teens through youth programs, promoted healthy living and wellness and reached out to our neighbors who are in need. Together, we’ve worked to make our community more healthy, confident and connected.”
The family-friendly birthday celebration, held in early March, welcomed young and old and saw close to 500 in attendance.
According to Sofarelli, the success of the Y, located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico, has everything to do with the way the community responded to the programs the facility has been offering throughout the past decade.
“This community has embraced and supported us right from the start,” Sofarelli said. “Such support includes our hard-working volunteers without whom none of this would be possible.”
First a member and now also volunteer Chuck Ammons, of Valrico, spoke about highly about the facility, which he said was a major reason for his becoming a volunteer.
“I wanted to give back to my community and I don’t know if there is a better place to do that, than at the YMCA,” Ammons said.
The Campo Y currently sports 16,000 members who take advantage of the various programs offered to all ages.
While the facility has seen a steady increase of the number of its members as well as the programs offered over the years, the biggest increase of membership and interest in the facility came three years ago, following the installation of an outdoor pool and water activities area built on the building’s south side.
As for the future success of the Campo Y, associate executive director Dayna Davidson also thanked all the volunteers for their hard work and commented on the facility’s continued commitment to encourage Y members to take advantage of the endless programs offered and to reach their full potential.
Interestingly, such commitment includes Phase III of a full-facility expansion slated to begin in the near future based on availability of funds.
For more information about the Y, please visit www.tampaymca.org.
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