Blooming News: Holiday Wishes & Family Resources 🌷

Julia Sharp 17 November 2025

Joy Holiday Gifts 2 - The Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc.

🌷 Blooming News: Holiday Wishes & Family Resources 🌷

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Holiday Wishes is Here!

Help Make the Holidays Brighter for Healthy Start Families!

Community members can now sign up to fulfill Holiday Wishlists for Healthy Start families in need. This wonderful opportunity allows you to directly impact local families by providing gifts and essentials that will make their holiday season more joyful. Whether you’re an individual, family, business, or organization, your generosity can make a meaningful difference in our community.

Join us in spreading holiday cheer and supporting Pinellas County families this season!

The holiday season is here, and we’re excited to launch our Annual Holiday Wishes initiative! This beloved program brings joy to Healthy Start families throughout Pinellas County and is one of our favorite traditions. Holiday Wishes is an opportunity for our community to come together and show Healthy Start families that they are valued, supported, and celebrated.

Whether you’re looking to sponsor a family’s wishlist, donate items, volunteer your time, or spread the word, there are so many meaningful ways to participate and make this holiday season special for families in our community.

Click Here to Visit our Holiday Wishes Webpage

Food Drive for Healthy Start Families

In response to the interruption in SNAP benefits this fall, Healthy Start is collecting food donations at our office beginning today through December 12. We will distribute donated items directly to Healthy Start clients.

Drop off days: Mondays- Fridays, excluding holidays.
Drop off times: 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM

We welcome donations from partners and community members at our office in Pinellas Park.

We also have an Amazon wish list, which can be used to purchase and ship donations directly to our office.

Click Here to Visit our Amazon Wishlist

Come Volunteer with Us

Holiday Helpers

Volunteers are welcome to help spread holiday joy to Healthy Start families in our community as Holiday Helpers, where we prepare special holiday gifts and packages for Healthy Start families celebrating the season with their little ones. Your meaningful volunteer work directly impacts local families, helping ensure every family experiences the magic and warmth of the holidays.

Event Details:

Date: Nov. 1- December 12, 2025
Time: 11 AM -1 PM or 1 – 3 PM

Volunteer Duties:

Unbox holiday gifts and complete a gift receipt form
Organize general gifts by age group
Assemble toys, games, and holiday items that require setup
Bag up completed gift packages for easy distribution

Arrrgh you ready?

Join us for a fun day of community spirit! The Healthy Start Coalition is looking for volunteers to support the Gasparilla Distance Classic on February 20, 2026. This is a great opportunity to give back while enjoying one of Tampa Bay’s favorite annual events.

Event Details:

Date: February 20, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Group Access Code: HSCP26

Volunteer Duties:

Check in race participants
Distribute t-shirts and bibs
Support the Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas

Sign up today at:
bit.ly/HSCP-Gasparilla26
Group Access Code: HSCP26

Click Here to Sign Up to be a Holiday Helper

Click Here to Sign Up Using Group Access Code: HSCP26

Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery Programs

Pinellas residents still struggling to repair their homes or recover financially from last year’s devastating hurricanes will soon have access to millions of dollars in new programs focused on helping vulnerable homeowners and renters recover.

The People First Hurricane Recovery Programs will open to applicants on Oct. 20 to help low- to -moderate income residents repair or replace homes, prevent long-term displacement, and make housing safer and more affordable. Pinellas County announced the launch Monday.

Detailed program information, including income qualifications and what documents you need to apply, is posted online at recover.pinellas.gov.

For St. Petersburg residents: The County’s People First programs are open to all Pinellas residents except those who live in the City of St. Petersburg, which has its own recovery program called Sunrise St. Pete. Visit the website for information.

Federal Government Shutdown Resources for Families

As our elected officials continue to seek a resolution to the current government shutdown, a group of representatives from local nonprofits, municipalities and utilities continue to meet about how best to provide assistance to federal employees and families that could be impacted. As the shutdown persists, United Way Suncoast will update with new resources and assistance.

Click Here to Find United Way Resources

To find locations near you throughout Pinellas County, use the St. Pete Free Clinic Find Food Map.

Go to thespfc.org/map
Enter your zip code

Your nearest FREE food resources will appear!

Click Here to Find Food

Volunteer Spotlight

You know a great partnership when you see it in action. The Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete is already doing powerful work: investing in health and strengthening our community. When their team chose to spend their staff volunteer day with us, we couldn’t wait to see what they’d accomplish. Spoiler alert: they rocked it. The FHSP crew assembled Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Kits that will help families weather the storms (literally). They unboxed and stocked Pack N Plays that will give babies safe places to sleep. They prepped materials for our Beds 4 Babies program that will reach families in their most vulnerable moments.

This is a team that doesn’t just talk about community impact: they live it, breathe it, and roll up their sleeves to make it happen. Thank you, FHSP, for being the kind of partner that makes this work possible. You’re not just supporting Healthy Start families; you’re showing what it means to truly invest in our community’s future.

We see you. We appreciate you. And Pinellas families are better because of you.

Ready to make a real difference in your community? We’d love to have you join our volunteer team! Whether you’re an individual looking to give back, part of a group seeking meaningful service opportunities, or a business wanting to engage your team in community impact, there’s a place for you here.

Finding your perfect volunteer opportunity is easy. Simply visit our United Way organization portal where you can explore all the ways to get involved. From one-time events to ongoing commitments, we have options that fit every schedule and interest. You are not just welcome here; you are deeply appreciated and valued!

Click Here to View Volunteer Opportunities

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Funding for Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc. is provided by:
Healthy Start Momcare Network, Inc.
State of Florida, Agency for Health Care Administration
State of Florida, Department of Health