Clearwater Community Volunteers

Each year since 1993, the Clearwater Community Volunteers put on Winter Wonderland, which is a two to three-week long charity drive in downtown Clearwater whose proceeds benefit the children of Pinellas County. Winter Wonderland is a complete Christmas village with an entertainment stage, photos with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, a hot chocolate shop and Holiday Express Train!

Entrance to Winter Wonderland is free but we ask visitors to bring a non-perishable food item and/or an unwrapped toy. The toys and canned goods are donated to local area charities, such as the Pinellas Sheriff’s Police Athletic League of Lealman.

Winter Wonderland is open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Wednesdays through Sundays. Grand Opening on Sunday, December 1st and Closing Night, Monday, December 23rd. Winter Wonderland is not open Mondays or Tuesdays, except on Monday, Dec 23rd.

People from all over the world have visited Winter Wonderland, gazing in awe at the thousands of lights that adorn the real pine trees and enjoying the wonderful entertainment that is on the stage all the time that Winter Wonderland is open.

Chefs’ Showcase

Every year, a dinner is held in the Fort Harrison’s Crystal Ballroom for 120 guests – the Chefs Showcase. The event brings in local chefs to create a fantastic evening of food, wine and entertainment that raises funds for local charities, (this year, the event benefits CFY Pinellas and the Clearwater Community Volunteers).

This year the dinner is being held on Sunday June 9th. We have a seven-course meal with wine and entertainment pairings, featuring chefs including Chef John Harris (Baystar Restaurant Group), Chef Sean Ragan (JW Marriott Tampa), Chef Paul Liptak (Belleair Country Club) and Chef Bill Brown (William Dean Chocolates – he is doing the dessert).

The costs to produce the event are totally underwritten so all ticket sales, raffle and live auction items go to charity. The event is co-hosted by Tampa Bay Magazine and the tickets are $250 each.

The event starts at 5:30pm with a reception, with seating at 6:15pm.

The cost is $250 a seat, ($2,500 a table of ten).

Sheriff Jim Coats is a Fan of CCV!

Dear Joanie,

I want to take this opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate your work and the efforts of the Clearwater Community Volunteers over the past few years. There are so many areas of our community that are so much better off because of your efforts.

As a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast, I want to commend you for your ambitious initiative to support the Clearwater Jasmine Courts Boys and Girls Club. The fashion show fundraiser that your group held was nothing less than spectacular. It truly was professional and enjoyable, and I can assure you that the funds raised were very beneficial to the children in our community.

I appreciate all that your group is engaged in, and I assure you that your support has not gone unnoticed.

Sincerely,
James F. Coats, Sheriff (then Chief Deputy)
Pinellas County, Floria

Success Stories from Volunteers

What do our volunteers get out of helping with CCV projects? Find out below!

I have been involved with CCV for many years. What I love most (there are a lot of things to love about this group) is the fact that no matter how much or how little I contribute I always feel like I have done something to help improve conditions in my community and every action is so greatly appreciated by the executives of the group.

Trish O'Hara

I have been a volunteer with CCV since 1997. The rewards and joy I have experienced from helping people, especially creating a joyful environment for children, have been quite elating.

It is an extra special activity that allows me to help others improve their lives, change their interpersonal relationships for the better and gain better affinity for their environment.

Sincerely,
Joel Anderson