NEW CAMPO FAMILY YMCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRINGS VAST EXPERIENCE

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, interactive place for 8 to 12-year-olds.”

By Libby Hopkins

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.

Relay For Life Of Fishhawk

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of FishHawk invites the community to join the movement to honor and remember loved ones and fight back for lifesaving change on Saturday, March 25 at Newsome High School’s track and field. Relay For Life is a community of survivors, caregivers, local citizens, volunteers and participants and is the largest, most inspiring and most supportive cancer fundraising event on the planet.

“We share a passion to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” said Kelly Lowry, event lead. “In 2023, over 1.9 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Thanks to that shared passion, the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society can’t be stopped, ensuring we are here for everyone who needs us.”

Relay For Life of FishHawk’s theme is ‘Party for a Cure,’ and it begins with opening ceremonies at 3 p.m. and the survivors and caregivers taking the first lap, followed by a survivors’ reception. To help plan for the reception and order the survivor shirt, survivors are asked to register for the event at www.relayforlife.org/fishhawkfl.

The luminaria ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. Come out to join the fun and help “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.” If you wish to sponsor the event, please contact Lowry at kellylowry5@gmail.com and/ or Tammy Schoonover at tammy. schoonover@cancer.org.

For more than 35 years, Relay For Life has brought together passionate supporters who embody the American Cancer Society’s mission. This volunteer-led experience unites communities to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support to ensure everyone has an opportunity to protect from, detect, treat and survive cancer.

“It’s never been easier to raise money for Relay For Life and help fund the future. Every dollar raised fuels the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. The fight against cancer needs you now more than ever,” said Lowry.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Join the Relay For Life of FishHawk. Sign up to join an existing team or start a new team at www.relayforlife.org/fishhawkfl.

• Donate. If you can’t participate in this year’s event, you can still help save lives by making a donation. Every dollar fuels the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Visit www.relayforlife.org/fishhawkfl to donate.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.

Call For Artists For Annual Florida

Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show

A call to artists has been issued by the East Hillsborough Art Guild (EHAG) for the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show, which runs from Thursday, March 2 through Sunday, March 12 at the festival grounds in Plant City.

Adults are divided into professional groups (entry fee is $15) and amateur groups (entry fee is $12). Adults can enter oils, acrylics, watercolors and graphic/mixed media. The entry fee for miniature art (2D media) and sculpture (3D media) is $12.

The youth divisions are by ages between the age of six and 17. Youth can enter oils, acrylics, watercolors, graphic/mixed media and sculpture. The entry fee is $5.

Adults can enter up to four entries, but no more than two in the same division. Youth can enter up to two entries.

Entries are eligible for substantial monetary awards. This includes $300 for best of show. Entries can also win $100 for the Strawberry Theme Award (entries must include strawberries or reflect the current festival theme of ‘We Have a Winner’).

There are prizes for first ($150) and second ($100) place in all adult professional divisions. Adult amateurs, miniature and sculpture receive $100 for first place and $75 for second. Adults who receive third and fourth place receive rosette ribbons.

For youth, first place receives $25 and

By Kathy L. Collins

second place receives $15. Entries that win third and fourth receive a rosette ribbon. All youth participants receive participation ribbons. Youth prizes are sponsored exclusively by Jarrett Scott Ford.

Artists who do not win one of the above prizes are eligible for a Business Leaders Choice Award. Area residents can also become a sponsor for the In Honor Award and select a winning artist who will receive a ribbon and $50.

Space is limited and entries are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early entries are accepted until Saturday, February 11. Artists can mail their entry form and fee to East Hillsborough Art Guild, P.O. Box 3055, Plant City, FL 33564. Artworks must be brought to the festival grounds on Saturday, February 18 from 1-6 p.m.

Tom Harrah of Brandon is a sculptor who entered the show last year. Harrah’s piece received first place. Harrah said, “It was a great pleasure entering the show. We love visiting the Strawberry Festival and especially seeing all the wonderful art.”

Entry forms and rules can be found at www.flstrawberryfestival.com. If you have questions, please email Karen Crumley at kscrumley@yahoo.com or call 813924-3829.