Annual Three Kings Celebration in Wimauma's Iglesia de Guadalupe

For immediate release, December 25, 2011


Contact person: Alayne Unterberger, 813.477.2882

The Twelve Days of Christmas Start Now! Join us for our Twelfth Annual Three Kings Celebration on January 7, 2012 at Wimauma's Iglesia de Guadalupe

Ruskin, FL – On the first day of Christmas, we invite you to begin your plans to join us in a unique cultural event that involves four churches and many different approaches to celebrating the season in South Hillsborough County. This celebration began as immigrant farmworker families identified that the lack of strong cultural heritage events in the South County area was a threat to their children’s well-being. Competing with Santa Claus is almost impossible but parents wanted to teach their children what they learned growing up: that Epiphany or Three Kings Day is really about revering children and their potential. We will re-enact that spirit on Saturday January 7, 2012 and invite the press and public to witness the power of community-wide heritage sharing as a way to build strength in our community.

The event begins at 11 AM at
Iglesia de Guadalupe
16650 US HWY 301 S
Wimauma, FL 33598.

Garcia’s Bakery in Wimauma is donating the traditional ROSCA, a special bread made only for Epiphany, which will be distributed at the event by our own Three Kings (Baltazar, Melchor and Gaspar). Toys, shoes and books were donated by many organizations, including: the Metropolitan Ministries, the Ronald McDonald House and the Independent in Seminole Heights. We would appreciate any last minute donations, especially for youth ages 11 to 16. These tax deductible gifts* (see below can be dropped off at our FICS Multicultural Family Center at 6704 Hanley Road, Tampa FL 33634 or call us at 813.249.8100 to arrange pick up.

The Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) facilitates these events as part of our Strategic Plan for South County, however, the event is planned and )made possible by the South County FICS Community Advisors Project of and our partners at Iglesia Ministerios, Iglesia de Dios Elim, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Ronald McDonald House.

Join us! FICS partners with communities to help them achieve their goals through research, service, education and training. Join our cause on Facebook or by volunteering: www.ficsinc.org.

***We are still taking donations! We would be very grateful for any donations of toys, especially educational games, jewelry making kits, soccer balls, footballs and/or nicer clothing. Donations are tax deductible to FICS and can be dropped off at our FICS Multicultural Family Center @ 6704 Hanley Road, Tampa FL 33634 or picked up by calling 813.249.8100.

--------
Alayne Unterberger, PhD Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) PO Box 16745 Tampa FL 33687 813.249.8100 Community. Activism. Research. Education.