Egg hunts, parties and assistance to those in need provided by American Legion Family.
As with other holidays throughout the year, this Easter was another example of how The American Legion Family is there for its communities.
Whether it was staging Easter egg hunts or parties or providing some kind of assistance to those in need, members of the Legion Family did their part in helping others enjoy the holiday.
The following are a few examples of how Legion Family members helped their communities celebrate Easter. American Legion posts who conducted Easter-related activities are encouraged to share their stories and photos at www.legiontown.org.
Arizona
In Yuma, Post 19’s American Legion Family hosted a community Easter party that included an Easter egg hunt, a train ride, food and other activities for families to enjoy.
California
In Rio Linda, American Legion Post 521 hosted its annual Easter egg hunt. In addition to the egg hunt, the event also included interactive games for various age groups and a hot dog lunch for attendees.
Illinois
· In Evergreen Park, American Legion Post 854 hosted “Breakfast with the Bunny,” which included French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, milk, coffee and juice. After getting a chance to meet the Easter Bunny, children ages 12 and younger took part in an indoor egg hunt, while adults in attendance took part in raffles.
· In Strasburg, American Legion Auxiliary Liberty Unit 289 held its 71st Annual Easter egg hunt, which drew more than 50 children, along with their parents and grandparents. The Easter Bunny and its sidekick Carrot were available for pictures at the event.
Indiana
· In Brookville, Bernard Hurst American Legion Post 77 and VFW Post 2014 teamed up to hide 3,000 eggs filled with candy for area children to find. The Easter Bunny also made an appearance. “It has been an extreme success with many children. The event was open to the community and we are very pleased to see all these people here,” Post 77 Adjutant Faith Jones said.
· In Newburgh, Kapperman Post 44 hosted its annual egg hunt at Amex Soccer Field, a tradition dating back more than 36 years. “The purpose is, ‘Oh I went to this when I was a kid,’ or ‘Mom took me when I was a kid,’” Post 44 Chaplain Cathy Feldbusch said. “We have kids that are bringing grandkids now, so it’s for the kids to enjoy and still be a kid.”
Iowa
In Shenandoah, American Legion Post 88 hosted its 102nd annual Easter egg hunt at Sportsman’s Park. The event again drew hundreds of community members hunting for more than 1,600 eggs filled with candy and prizes. The hunt is divided into five age groups to ensure opportunities for children of all ages, ranging from infants to elementary school students.
The event starts with a brief ceremony that includes a color guard rifle shot to kick off the hunt. Watch video of this year’s hunt here.
Louisiana
In Belle Chasse, American Legion Post 329 teamed with Chevron Oronite’s Veterans Employee Network to donate 30 Easter baskets to some of the area’s most vulnerable families through a partnership with the Plaquemines Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Michigan
· In Lake Orion, Sons of The American Legion Charlton-Polan Squadron 233’s children’s Easter egg hunt took place at Children’s Park. A roped-off area was available for younger children to participate. Following the hunt, Post 233 provided pizza and soft drinks to participants. “It’s been a long-standing tradition. It started out as a small event for Legionnaires, their children and grandkids. It has grown into a community-wide event with over 100 kids each year,” Squadron 233 Commander Bob Gritzinger said. “It’s a phenomenal thing. Anybody who has witnessed it will note that we count it down from 10 to one and those kids launch and in five minutes those eggs are collected.”
· In Brooklyn, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 315 purchased 6,000 pieces of candy to fill Easter eggs for Heart of the Hills Church.
New Jersey
In Franklin, American Legion Post 132 hosted a family pancake breakfast and hot cocoa bar with the Easter Bunny, In addition to meeting the Easter Bunny, attendees also decorated cookies and colored Easter eggs.
New York
· In Oxford, Fort Hill American Legion Post 376 continued a decades-long tradition with a community Easter breakfast that included an appearance by the Easter Bunny. More than 200 guests attended the breakfast, which included an all-you-can-eat buffet of eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, home fries, and French toast, as well as drinks such as coffee, cocoa, juice, milk or tea. Guests could purchase raffle tickets to win one of two Easter baskets for adults and children.
· In Springville, Concord Post 431’s American Legion hosted a community Easter egg hunt at Fiddler’s Green Park in Springville. Refreshments were served after the hunt at the Concord Town Hall. Boy Scout Troop 624 assisted with the hunt.
Oklahoma
In Norman, members of American Legion Post 88 put together Easter baskets and then delivered them to children receiving services from the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI), which assists children and their families who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing child abuse, neglect or other adverse experiences.
Pennsylvania
In Weatherly, members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 helped to pack 756 Easter holiday meal boxes for veterans sponsored by the Valor Clinic Foundation at Camp Trexler. Unit 360 also donated $750 to the foundation’s food pantry for veterans, as well as bags of clothing, socks and bedding items for homeless veterans that the foundation is assisting.
- Community