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Egg hunt grows and gets better every year
(by Sue Reid - April 05, 2012)
Egg hunt grows and gets better every year
By SUE REID
When it comes to assembling more than 12,000 candy-filled eggs, members of the Solon Italian Club have it down to a science.
“The irony is, we will stuff 12,000 eggs in an hour,” Club vice president Dennis Castiglione, a resident of Solon, said with a laugh. “We have the system down.”
About 70 members and their families gathered last week at the Solon Community Center to assemble the colorful eggs.
The club, in cooperation with the Solon Recreation Department, will present the Easter egg hunt at noon April 7 on the varsity football field at Solon High School.
For the past 28 years, the club has presented the hunt, which draws over 1,000 children from throughout the area, including Greater Cleveland.
As in past years, attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to be donated to a local charity. Beginning last year and again this year, the club is also asking that attendees and members of the community bring non-perishable goods to send to U.S. armed forces overseas. Items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, socks, wet wipes, toilet paper, razors, playing cards and batteries are ideal.
The collection for the troops will be channeled through AdoptA Platoon, Mr. Castiglione explained, which is a volunteer organization that has been sending care packages overseas to U.S. troops for 14 years. Local platoon mom, Suzi Castiglione, will coordinate the distribution of packages to the armed forces.
Mr. Castiglione said representatives from each branch of the armed services will be at the egg hunt to acknowledge the contributions and to be acknowledged for their service. A ceremony will kick off the hunt.
“We love hosting the Easter egg hunt for the community, and we realize that hundreds of local families enjoy participating,” Club present Robert Yodice, a resident of Solon, said. “But we are also acutely aware of the sacrifices made by the men and women in our armed forces, and we want everyone here to realize that we can make a difference while still enjoying a great event in Solon.”
The giving portion of the hunt “keeps us all focused,” Mr. Castiglione added.
The hunt, which gets bigger and bigger each year, will feature for the first time food for sale, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, soda pop and chips, Mr. Castiglione said.
About 30 volunteers from the near 200-member club participate the day of the event.
“We really enjoy doing it,” Mr. Yodice said. “It’s one of the most fun events we do each year. We enjoy being out there with the youngsters and their families.
“It’s a feel-good feeling,” he said.
Also on hand that day will be the Easter bunny and his furry companion.
“We have learned over the years with the hunt that we try to make it better each year,” Mr. Yodice said. “You get a lot of excitement out there.”
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