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NEW CAMPO FAMILY YMCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRINGS VAST EXPERIENCE
By Libby Hopkins
Mario Gallegos became the new executive director of the Campo Family YMCA this past November. With his new position, he brings a strong YMCA background. “I moved here from San Antonio, Texas early November and began my role on November 7,” Gallegos said. “My work for the Y is not new, as I was a part of the Greater San Antonio YMCA for six years. Prior to the Y, I have been an educator, coach, pastor and former branch director for the Schertz Family YMCA. My wife and I relocated to Bloomingdale the week of Christmas.”
Gallegos and his team have many plans for 2023 at the Campo Y.
“Our first exciting plan is the renovation of our outdoor pool,” Gallegos said. “This project will enhance our guest and member experiences for swim lessons, lap swimming, water exercise, swim team and recreation swim. Currently, we are painting the interior of the facility, our wellness floor has been completed and we have had many compliments of the updated look. Our Youth Zone received a grant from GTE Financial to completely renovate that space. This has enabled us to provide a safe, fun, in-
LOCAL PASTOR AND SON WRITE ABOUT ‘WHAT IF’
By Makenzie Atkins
teractive place for 8 to 12-year-olds.”
Another project Gallegos and his team worked on in the New Year was free memberships. “Our open house expo on January 14 was our chance to showcase the many programs the Y has to ofer,” Gallegos said. “Y swag was given away at our program tables, as well as information regarding the many programs we ofer.”
Gallegos has high hopes for the Campo Y in 2023. “I hope we will continue to strengthen the foundation of our communities through programs that promote healthy living, social responsibility and youth development,” Gallegos said. “The Campo Y has a long history in the Brandon area, and we are now impacting multiple generations and hope to keep making a diference in the lives of those who participate in our programs. I’m also hopeful that more people learn of our cause and will partner with us so that no one is ever turned away.”
If you’d like to learn more about the programs ofered at the Campo Y, you can visit its website at www.tampaymca.org/locations/campo-family-ymca. The Campo Y is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico.
A local pastor and speaker has written another book, this time alongside his oldest son, to teach about living to your potential.
Dr. J. Shannon Eads and his son, Tyler Eads, urge readers to consider the ‘what if’ in seven diferent ways throughout their new book, The Breakthrough Power of What If: Choose to Live Your Potential. The book is available now and can be purchased on Amazon.
The Breakthrough Power of What If is about understanding that God has uniquely placed opportunities in your life for you to walk through. Tyler said that as a believer, it is your responsibility to acknowledge the opportunities presented to you and be faithful in serving them.
After Tyler talked with his dad, they agreed that many people they have met are living with regrets. This inspired them to help people learn how to keep from passing up on their ‘what if’ moments. The father-and-son duo want to ensure that readers are maximizing on these moments.
“To be able to write this book with my dad is an incredible blessing because it shows diferent perspectives on life,” said Tyler, author and speaker. “These different perspectives can be both similar and diferent, but they are both valid in the way that they view all events of life.”
Tyler is a graduate from Durant High School and now attends Florida State University, where he majors in sports management. Tyler has always strived to make a diference in others’ lives and is excited to be able to reach people in a new way.
“I wanted to write, because I want to inspire people of all ages to never view the youth as unable to make a difference for God,” said Tyler.
Dr. Shannon has been a pillar in the community for many years, serving as the lead pastor at Browning Road Baptist Church for over six years. Two years ago, after being unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Shannon asked God to help him find what was next for him. After praying more, he knew God wanted him to write, not only for a larger audience, but for his family as well. The Breakthrough Power of What If: Choose to Live Your Potential will be his second book available on Amazon. For more information, visit https:// www.ministryformen.com/.
Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with the knowledge to best support their loved one. Gain this knowledge at our NEW hybrid support groups being held via Zoom and in person at Tessera of Brandon.
