March 11, 2015
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Participants at a previous Sir John Stevens Handi-Capable Easter Egg Hunt. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event.
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Knights of Columbus handi-capable Easter egg hunt celebrates its 30th year By Sara Hardin With Easter just a bunny’s hop away, the members of Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council are busy in preparation of their 30th Annual Sir John Stevens Handi-Capable Easter Egg Hunt. Ron and Pat Green have been members of the council for more than 30 years and are serving their fifth year as the chairpersons for the annual egg hunt that the council hosts every year on the Knights of Columbus grounds in Hazelwood. Designed with accessibility in mind, the handi-capable egg hunt allows people with various mental and physical disabilities to partake in the beloved Easter tradition in a friendly environment. Each participant is gifted a stuffed bunny, food is provided for all participants and their families, and entertainment and balloons are provided by the Knights of Columbus clowns. Participants of any age are welcome, and it is all provided at no cost. “The most rewarding thing is the smiles on their faces,” said Pat Green. “It takes the littlest thing to get these kids excited. They are so young at heart and full of joy. Most of them will get their bunny and just love it to pieces. The reward is the looks on their faces. We love to do this.” The egg hunt is funded by other events that the council hosts throughout the year, such as trivia and bingo nights.
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The Sir John Stevens Handi-Capable Easter Egg Hunt allows people with various mental and physical disabilities to partake in the beloved Easter tradition in a friendly environment.
Funds that the council receives through these events are put towards charities and community events. “The only reason we throw events for money to come in is for the purpose of giving money, not for us or for the hall, but for us to turn right around and give it to someone else – that’s what we are as a charitable organization,” explained Ron Green. A whopping 1,500 eggs will be hidden throughout the Knights of Columbus grounds; some eggs are reserved to be hidden in hay bales elevated off of the ground to allow easier access to participants in wheelchairs. Those lucky enough to find certain ‘special’ eggs will receive an Easter basket full of goodies. Even the Easter Bunny himself will make an appearance to start off the beginning
of the egg hunt. After all of the eggs have been found, participants and their families can enjoy a complimentary lunch. In celebration of the egg hunt’s 30th anniversary, Ron Green will also be aewarding special Easter baskets to the council’s Ladies Auxiliary president and the council’s current Grand Knight. Both Ron and Pat agree that the desire to host an event like the egg hunt is found easily in the happiness that it brings the participants. “Just seeing the spirit from the children as they receive their gifts – it’s really touching, and it stays with you,” said Ron Green. The egg hunting begins promptly at 1 p.m. and participants are encouraged to show up at least a half-hour in advance in order to get as many eggs as possible.
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