With the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing forcing cancellations of group Easter events, members of the Legion Family came up with creative ways to help others celebrate the holiday.
An alley runs between the buildings that house American Legion Post 391 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6904 in downtown Fortville, Ind. On Easter Sunday, that alley saw a steady stream of traffic – thanks to the efforts of both posts.
Close to 300 Easter baskets and bags containing candy and toys were distributed by members of both posts to children in the backseats of vehicles, while the Easter Bunny was on hand to wave to passersby.
The collaboration was the idea of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 391 Commander Jason Ratliff as a way to deliver an Easter event to the community while practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
“For the last 40-plus years the two posts have been on a rotation for doing a breakfast and an Easter egg hunt here in Fortville,” Ratliff said. “It was our year. The SAL was going to sponsor the Easter egg hunt and the breakfast. The Covid-19 crisis kind of put a damper on all those plans.”
Ratliff approached both Post 391’s leadership and members of Post 6904 with the idea of the Easter drive-thru “so we could still put this out for the public. We were really happy to do this.” Various local businesses also contributed to the effort.
The event was supposed to start at 1 p.m., but by 12:30 p.m. cars already were lined up entering the alley. “Right now everyone’s worried and scared for their loved ones,” Post 391 Adjutant Stephen Daniel said. “This is a little bit of happiness going back out into the community at a time when a lot of people aren’t working and aren’t able to get candy and treats for their kids. This is one way for us to give back to our community.”
Indiana 10th District Commander Ron Patterson, a member of Post 391, also was on hand to help pass out baskets. “Not only is it one of the (founding principles) of The American Legion to reach out to the community, but it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “It’s been a real blessing. We’ve had people drive by with signs saying ‘Thank you guys. You’re our heroes.’ It just makes you feel like the Legion is still important and valued, and still continues to do the right thing. This is a tough time, and so many families have thanked us. It gives you a sense of pride to be a part of such a great organization as The American Legion.”
Also in Indiana, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 59 teamed up with Rising Sun Main Street and other members of the Rising Sun community to provide a mobile egg hunt that included cash prizes. Participants were encouraged to walk through town – practicing social distancing in the process – to count eggs, write the amount down and submit it to Rising Sun Main Street. The event took place from April 6-12.
And in other states, American Legion Family members did their part to help communities celebrate Easter in a time of social distancing.
Nebraska
• In Beatrice, American Legion Post 27 wasn’t able to conduct its annual Easter egg hunt, so the post improvised. On Saturday, the post’s Legion Family put together 275 bags filled with thousands off Easter eggs, an Easter activity book and crayons for children ages 9 and under. Families were able to drive thru the parking lot of the Veterans Club to get the bags from the Easter Bunny.
• In Syracuse, Pastor Sarah Cordray and Cheryl Halverson of Luther Memorial Church put out a call to their congregation to display crosses in order to build a sense of community leading up to Easter. Hearing about the plan, American Legion Post 289 in Table Rock came up with 20 crosses that were placed outside of the homes of shut-ins who are members of Luther Memorial, as well as outside of the windows of the Good Samaritan assisted-living center.
New York
Munnsville American Legion Post 54 had to cancel its Easter breakfast and egg hunt, so the post instead set up a drive-thru that allowed the Easter Bunny to hand out treats to children inside their vehicles.
Pennsylvania
Steelton American Legion Post 420 teamed up with various police departments, local businesses and the Borough of Steelton to conduct an “Egg-travagant Easter Drive-Thru" on April 11. Using social distancing, children were given a small bag of Easter treats and a pizza coupon as they were slowly driven through Post 420’s parking lot. Parents also were able to take socially distanced photos of their children with the Easter Bunny. Hundreds of people took part in the event.
"Since they're locked up in their houses because of the coronavirus, we are handing things out to them to get them at least out of the house and show our support to the community at large," Post 420 Legionnaire Calvin Lee Johnson told CBS 21 News.
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