Carl and Cynthia Hawkins (middle) at the ribbon-cutting event with Bob Sierra Y staff and board members.
Carl Hawkins has a deep love for reading and he is delighted to share it with everyone. Bob Sierra Family YMCA’s board member, and supporter, Carl along with his wife Cynthia has made the Hawkins Family Reading Room possible at the facility.
The ribbon-cutting event was held on August 29, 2024, and attended by board and staff members. The Reading Room has books for everyone – from preschoolers to adults. A retired USF professor, who taught public policy, reading has always been important to Carl during his almost three-decade career. His wife is also a retired HCC sociology professor.
“If we want kids to grow up as avid readers, it needs to start early. I remember growing up with book mobiles. My mom had us read all summer. We have a seven-year-old granddaughter so instilling this love of reading is important to us.”
So why the YMCA? Carl sums it up well.
“We love giving back to the community, especially if the avenue is through reading. The YMCA is like a family. People come here to work out, connect and socialize. As I see it, the YMCA is a bonding mechanism.”
Cynthia Hawkins agrees.
“Giving children the opportunity to love books at an early age brings such joy to us. The YMCA has a wide variety of people coming in who can benefit from the reading room. I can just see parents reading to their children here.”
Yaimy Marshall, Executive Director, Bob Sierra Y expressed her gratitude to the Hawkins.
“Carl has been our Y member for over a decade now, and an amazing board member for three years. We are so grateful to him and Cynthia for this gift of literacy. We already have amazing feedback from users who find it just the place to read and relax or bond with their children. It is a needed cozy corner, and we thank the Hawkins for making this possible.”
To support literacy, or any Tampa YMCA program, please donate here.
Published Wednesday, September 18, 2024.