TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Church, YMCA Team Up For Little Ones

ADVERTISEMENT

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

RIVERVIEW - A sea of subdivisions, but no place for the little ones to work off all that energy.

Enter a new team - Big Bend United Methodist Church and the Campo Family YMCA.

Youngsters 3 to 6 years old can play T-ball on the church grounds for six Saturdays beginning Nov. 1. Families don't have to belong to the YMCA to participate.
Big Bend UMC offers a variety of programs for youth of all ages and what the area lacked the church is working to provide, said Rebecca Jacob, executive pastor. "We just don't have a Y down in this area" and more houses are coming.

That is likely to change, the YMCA is working on the early stages of developing a program for southern Hillsborough County.

For now, though, it's all about outreach, said Cindy Sofarelli, executive director for YMCA branches in this area.

"We've already identified South County as our next potential area for serving more families," Sofarelli said. "We do a lot outside the walls of the Y" before a new facility is built.

, The team programs started in January with more than 100 preschoolers and elementary school-aged youngsters playing soccer, followed by a flag football season and cheerleading camp.

"We've got an outdoor basketball court we're hoping to add into the program next year," Jacob said.

Families can sign up for the T-ball program through the church until Monday. The cost is $45 per child.

Meanwhile, church members are planning the Fall Hallowed Scene for Halloween night. It will offer a fun evening for area youngsters including trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games and crafts. The church will accept donations of 25 cents to $1 for each activity.

Much of the church's focus is on its youth, Jacob said.

During the week, the church offers a preschool program that encourages parental involvement. On Sundays, youngsters through sixth grade can attend Sunday school.

Older youth meet Sunday evenings with dinner and social time from 6 to 6:45 p.m., followed by an in-depth look at their spiritual life until 8. This group has a number of activities coming up, including Souper Bowl Sunday, during which they will collect cans for the homeless and serve food in the community, and a Relay for Life team.

"Sunday evenings are a one-stop shop for everyone," Jacob said." Every age group is served."

For information about church programs, call (813) 677-9482

BATTER UP

WHAT: T-ball league for children 3 to 6

WHERE: Big Bend United Methodist Church, 11525 Big Bend Road, Riverview

WHEN: Saturdays, beginning Nov. 1

HOW MUCH: $45 per child

INFORMATION: (813) 677-9482

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT