Volunteers Prepare for Santa – Winter Wonderland Opens December 2nd
The 30th Annual Winter Wonderland in downtown Clearwater will provide family-friendly experiences to thousands this holiday season.
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (1888PressRelease) November 16, 2023 - With the opening of Winter Wonderland a mere two and a half weeks away, dozens of volunteers are hard at work readying the 30th Annual event. Winter Wonderland will open on Saturday, December 2nd at 6:00pm at its home in downtown Clearwater on the corner of Drew St. and Fort Harrison Ave. Winter Wonderland will be open until the 23rd of December.
The event is produced by the Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV). CCV was established in 1994 by parishioners of the Church of Scientology who wanted to put on events and help children and families in need in Pinellas County. CCV has helped thousands of families since.
“Every year, members of CCV take the Osceola Courtyard and turn it into a real wonderland,” said Lisa Mansell from the Public Affairs Department of the Church of Scientology. “These volunteers string tens of thousands of lights, install nearly 100 live Christmas trees, build Santa’s House and take care of the multitude of details to get the site ready for the thousands of children and families who will come through.”
“The true spirit of the holidays is family and giving and enjoying the wonderful things of the season,” said Pam Ryan Anderson, the Chairwoman of the CCV and overall organizer and producer of Winter Wonderland. “CCV could not bring Christmas to these families without the dedicated volunteers who bring this holiday village to life every year.”
It takes excellent planning, a lot of sweat equity and teamwork to light up the lights on opening night – but the volunteers do it for the kids.”
Ms. Mansell pointed to a 2021 survey conducted by One Poll on children ages 6 to 17 that found 73% of children surveyed would like to have more opportunities to bond with their family.
“Winter Wonderland provides a festive opportunity for families to spend time making memories together,” said Ms. Mansell.
Winter Wonderland activities include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, snow, entertainment, a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, train rides, a carousel and a playground. There is a small cost for some of the attractions, however admission is free.
Visitors are encouraged to donate non-perishable food and new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to families in need before Christmas. Over the past 29 years, Winter Wonderland has welcomed more than a quarter of a million visitors and collected tons of food and toys.
For more information about Winter Wonderland, please go to https://clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org.
About the Clearwater Community Volunteers
The Clearwater Community Volunteers was established in 1994 by parishioners of the Church of Scientology who wanted to put on events and help children and families in need within our community. CCV has since expanded over the years to welcome volunteers from all over Tampa Bay, and from all faiths, who share their purpose. The Clearwater Community Volunteers gets its inspiration from L. Ron Hubbard's precept in The Way to Happiness common sense moral guide: Love and Help Children. To learn more, visit www.clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org
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