EGG-STRAVAGANZA
Easter egg hunt aids a good cause
Ava Soriano, 5, and Khloe Davis, 3, prepare for the Easter egg hunt
An Easter egg hunt Saturday in Congress Park brought hundreds of young families out, eager to let their little ones have an opportunity to collect some plastic eggs, greet the Easter Bunny and enjoy the weather.
In some cases the third annual Taylor’s Heroes Egg-Stravaganza gave parents as much of a workout as the kids.
Once the signal was given at 11:30 a.m. for the first of three egg hunts, the kids, with many parents in tow, headed out onto the lawn in front of the Canfield Casino to collect as many eggs as they could.
Many of the youngest ones were unsure of all the commotion and had to be instructed as to the purpose and the prizes that awaited them. Once the instructions were clear, however, there was no stopping them as their paper bags were quickly filled to overflowing.
The Egg-Stravaganza is a fundraiser for Taylor’s Heroes, a Saratoga Springs-based nonprofit that offers 14week programs in fitness and nutrition for children eight to 18 in partnership with the Saratoga Regional YMCA, 290 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs.
Despite temperatures hovering around 45 degrees and a bright sun overhead, the day still required winter jackets and gloves. To warm up or wait their turn to hunt some eggs, participants had the chance to go inside the casino where there were games, raffles, a Chinese auction, and the Easter Bunny.
“We came last year,” said Robin Soriano. “My older daughter was a Taylor’s Hero in 2017. She worked out at the YMCA, took the nutrition classes and is still following their instructions. This is worth the money. It’s for a good cause.”
The organization, Taylor’s Heroes, was established in memory of David Taylor Miller, a local man who was killed in Afghanistan in June 21, 2010. According to his mother Leslie Miller, her son was overweight and worked hard to get in shape as a teen. It not only made him feel better physically it made him feel better emotionally.
“We found out about Taylor’s Heroes when a guidance counselor at her school recommended it,” Soriano said.
Many who brought their children to the event for the festivities knew it was a fundraiser but were unsure as to which one. When informed about the organization, every parent seemed to brighten and see the day as even better.
“We came out last year,” said Meghan Feld. “It’s good to get the kids out of the house and support a good cause.”
Her son, Hunter, 4, who was camera shy and refused a request for a photograph, was not shy about informing a stranger the best prize from last year’s egg hunt. “I got chocolates,” he said. Inside the casino, Gabriel Parillo, 8, was working on a page from a coloring book. He too, remembered his best egg from last year’s hunt.
“The best egg was the gold one,” he said. “It had money.”
Rose Beckett was at the other end of the big room with her son Lars, 5, getting his photograph taken with the Easter Bunny.
“We’re here to support a good cause and get some Easter eggs,” she said.