Photo by Jeff Dodge

TMSSW Cultural Activities Around Tampa Bay!
Over 2000 Salt Marsh Grasses Planted at Fort DeSoto!

On Saturday, May 11, TMSSW journeyed to our Pinellas County barrier island treasure on the Gulf of Mexico, Fort DeSoto Park, for a volunteer activity and a comuunity cookout, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Police Department and World Partnerships, Inc. The TMSSW participants were joined by SPPD officers, Pinellas County Sheriff's officers, members of the Meridian team from Washington, community volunteers from Historic Bethel AME Church and and 33 "Men in the Making" - an SPPD role-modeling program for youth at risk. Ms. Anna Yu, Park Ranger 3 - Parks and Conservation Resources at Fort De Soto Park led the volunteer effort "that accomplished a year's worth of plantings in 2 hours"! After planting over 2000 salt marsh grasses, our TMSSW volunteers enjoyed a cookout for over 100 at a pavilion by the beach, and spent a couple of hours swimming and relaxing in the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to World Partnerships friends B.J. Sheffield, Colleen Troy, Jeff Dodge,  SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway, Reverand Kenneth Irby and volunteers from Historic Bethel, and the Men in the Making Program for making this a memorable volunteer event and at the beach!
Baseball Magic with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees!

Thanks to the Tampa Bay Rays and the St. Petersburg Police Department, the 10th anniversary of TMSSW enjoyed a Sunday afternoon baseball game between the Rays and the New York Yankees! Everyone appreciated the air-conditioned comfort of Tropicana Field on a hot May afternoon, and got to see 7 home runs hit in a single game! Hot dogs, popcorn, winning the "Big Head" race, and a visit to the "Rays Tank" in centerfield were all highlights of a day attending "America's Pastime"!
Enjoying Tampa Bay!
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Even with a packed program schedule and weekend cultural events, our IVLP visitors had plenty of time to explore the ambience, culture and cuisine around Tampa Bay! Many thanks to our US Department of State International Liaisons and Interpreters, all Tampa Bay veterans, for ensuring that their groups experienced as much of the area during their stay here!