Winter Wonderland Wraps Up 30 Years of Making Memories

CLEARWATER, FL – On Saturday December 23^rd, Clearwater’s Winter Wonderland concluded their 30^th year of bringing joy to families in the Tampa Bay area. More importantly, the three-week event served as a food and toy drive for Pinellas County families in need. With more than 11,000 in attendance, Winter Wonderland gave families – those attending and those in need – a merrier holiday season.

Winter Wonderland is produced by the Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV). CCV was established in 1994 with the purpose of helping children and families in need in Pinellas County.

Pam Ryan Anderson, the chairwoman of CCV, credits the success for the event to her core group of volunteers.

“I have a most amazing team, involving many people that do different jobs to create, build, decorate and run Winter Wonderland,” said Ms. Ryan Anderson. “From the constructions guys that build it, the volunteers that come help us for all aspects of all that it takes from start to finish. I could go on. Without each and every one of them, Winter Wonderland would not be the wonderful, magical place to visit that is truly is!”

“Besides being an amazing place to visit, Winter Wonderland is a food and toy drive for needy families,” added Ms. Ryan Anderson. “I learned just today how special it is when the families see that food has been donated for them, and how much they appreciate – and need – the food and toys that are donated.”

Those donations come from the visitors to Winter Wonderland. Winter Wonderland is a free holiday attraction. Visitors are asked to bring non-perishable food items or unwrapped toys for families in need.

Winter Wonderland is just one of the activities the Clearwater Community Volunteers participate in throughout the year. For more information about the Clearwater Community Volunteers, please go to www.clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org.

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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

The 30th Annual Winter Wonderland in Clearwater brought more than 11,000 guests out to enjoy the holiday-themed village.Photo byFlag Media Productions