L-R: Congratulations! Hannah Oliver, Hannia Rodriguez, Sarah Holt, Sarah Hays, Lillia Zinszer and Tonina Rodriguez brought home second place for us!
At the Tampa YMCA, we love to spread holiday cheer, and this year, we’re especially excited to share that we participated in Curtis Hixon’s first annual Winter Village Tree Decorating Contest! On Friday, December 6th, our creative staff gathered to assemble the “YMCA Summer Camp” Christmas tree, bringing a touch of warmth and fun to the festive season.
Along with the YMCA, several other organizations participated in the contest, including AECOM, Better Homes & Gardens, the Gasparilla Film Festival, Melting Pot Social, Sacred Heart, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Visit Tampa Bay, Where Love Grows and Zukku Sushi.
Each group was tasked with selecting a theme for their tree, and we chose to highlight one of our favorite programs—Summer Camp!
Our tree was adorned with iconic camp ornaments, including fishing bobbers, bandana bows, mini beach balls and even handcrafted ornaments featuring real campers. The giant friendship bracelet and sun tree topper were the perfect finishing touches, capturing the essence of the enriching experiences we offer each summer.
Results from a community vote were revealed on Sunday, December 8th. We were thrilled to see our YMCA Summer Camp tree take second place in the highly competitive competition! Our friends at the Tampa Bay Lightning earned first place, while the Gasparilla Film Festival placed third. We are proud of our tree and grateful to have participated in such a fun and festive event alongside many great organizations.
A big thank you to everyone who helped bring our tree to life and to all our YMCA staff for their creativity and holiday spirit. Though we did not take home first place, our second-place finish is a testament to the passion and teamwork that make the YMCA a special place for many.
From our Tampa YMCA family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!
Published Tuesday, December 17, 2024.