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Plant City YMCA Welcomes New Board Members

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Family YMCA welcomed five new members to its board at a celebration party Nov. 15 hosted by George and Cassandra Banning.

The new board will serve in an advisory capacity in the coming year. The party also provided an opportunity to thank the many donors to the 2007 Building Strong Kids annual giving campaign.

The new board members are: Richard Hopkins, Jack Mulqueen, Rhett Rollyson, Bruce Sperry and Stevens Tombrink.

Hopkins, an administrator with Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus, is new to YMCA volunteering. He serves as the finance chairman at his church and was instrumental in the establishment and facility construction for the Mount Pleasant Standard Based Middle School. He and his wife, Renee, have three adult children, Jacqui, Tamara and Raymond.

Mulqueen, a chemical engineer, also is new to YMCA volunteer involvement. He serves as his company's liaison with the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Plant City Downtown Luncheon Club. He attended the Plant City Police Department's Citizens' Academy in 2006. His family includes his wife, Teresa, and adult children, John, Michael, Alvaro and Alexander.

Rollyson, who works in the building supply industry, has been a YMCA member and volunteer for the past 10 years. Other community involvement includes fundraising and teaching Sunday school at First Baptist Church of Plant City. He assists the U.S. Tennis Association with fundraisers and free clinics. He and his wife, Tara, have two children, Brendan and Tanner.

Sperry, a lawyer, is a longtime member of the Plant City community and a member of the Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club. He serves as vice chairman of the Plant City Historic Resources Board. His family includes his wife, Janice, and children Ben, Rachel and Rebecca.

Tombrink runs a commercial real estate business and has been a donor and fundraiser for the YMCA for many years. Other community involvement includes serving as president of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Tampa Bay. He is a past president of the Brandon 86 Rotary Club. He and his wife, Cathy, have two children, Steve and Miles.

Scott Warren, executive director of the Plant City Family YMCA, told those gathered for the celebration: "As we enter 2008, we face a tighter economy, which means that more families and youth will need scholarship assistance in order to be able to participate in YMCA programs. Our ability to raise funds through the Building Strong Kids campaign and manage our facility operations efficiently in the coming year is more critical than ever, and I am delighted to have such great new board members to help us accomplish our mission."

Luncheon Cruise Coming Up For Seniors

PLANT CITY - Only 38 tickets were available for the Feb. 7 Rivership Romance Luncheon Cruise on the St. Johns River and they are going fast. The outing is sponsored by the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department.

The cruise will be a four-hour trip on the scenic river with lunch that includes an entree with choice of coffee or hot or iced tea. Cost is $67 per person, which must be paid at time of reservation. Each reservation is limited to two people.

The group will leave Plant City at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m.

For information, call Deborah Haldane at (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4343. Tickets and reservations are available at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St.

Free Sports Offered At Y For Youth Members

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Family YMCA offers free sports programs to children of its facility members at no additional charge.

The YMCA sports programs stress the core character values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, faith and the Golden Rule.

Five sports seasons are offered each year: T-ball for ages 3 to 9, flag football for children 3 to 13, girls' volleyball for ages 11to 13, basketball for ages 3 to 13 and soccer for children 3 to 13.

Community members also are welcome to participate in youth sports for a $60 annual community membership fee plus a small registration fee for each sport.

Registration for the 2008 T-ball season began Dec. 1 and will end Dec. 31.

For information, visit the YMCA at 1507 YMCA Place, off Alexander Street.

Animal Services Needs Help For The Holidays

Hillsborough County Animal Services is celebrating the holiday season with its Animal Angel Tree.

The agency is seeking donations of money and items to help care for animals at its shelter.

Gifts for the "animal angels" may be placed under the tree in the lobby of the facility, 440 Falkenburg Road.

The giving tree will be decorated with ornaments made by local children and shelter volunteers. Many ornaments feature photos of pets that have taken shelter at animal services this year. Donors are invited to take home a photo ornament as a keepsake and gesture of thanks.

The Animal Angel Tree wish-list includes treats, kitty liter, biscuits, chews, stuffed animals, pet beds, brushes and more.

Shelter hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call (813) 744-5660.

Poetry Contest Deadline Is Dec. 30

PLANT CITY - Poets are invited to enter the International Poetry Conference contest hosted by Project Care Unlimited. The contest will be Feb. 15-16 at Cathedral of Faith Church, 6304 N. 30th St., Tampa.

The winning poem will receive $500. Deadline for entering is Dec. 30. Entries should be sent, along with a $25 entry fee, to: PCU Inc., P.O. Box 4178, Plant City FL 33563. Name, address and contact number must be included.

Entries are to be 21 lines, must be original with no profanity. Poets retain the rights to their work. Only one entry per poet will be accepted.

For information, e-mail Project Care Unlimited at projectcareunlimited@yahoo .com or call (813) 754-9212.

Columnist Barbara Kent reports on community news. Items submitted must include a telephone number. Send a fax to (813) 865-4441 or mail to Neighbors, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563.

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