Hoppin' for Environmental Change and Easter Weekend Fun

Hundreds of children and adults showed up for this year’s Easter egg Hunt/Earth Day event in Colton to participate in fun-filled activities. This year’s event was held at Rich Dauer Park by Colton’s Recreation Services, Healthy Colton, which gave kids up to age 12 a chance to score a variety of candy during their Easter egg hunt while incorporating some wealthy knowledge and tips on how to preserve and take care of the Earth. The park's field was covered with over 6,000 Easter eggs and abundant amounts of candy. Many took part in last Saturday's festivities and surrounding vendor booths provided information on master gardening programs, solar energy and water preservation, and also gave attendees the opportunity to make pledges to better protect their community. This is the first year the recreation service has hosted the egg hunt at Rich Dauer Park. Event Coordinator Felipe Vega explained that he’s “received much help from the community,” by which he refers to the eggs and candy that were donated by P&G. They were also given Easter baskets by De Parma Pizza as raffle prizes. Among other donations, Public Services were awarded a grant to cover free hot dogs for the community’s event. Anabel Castaneda, from Colton Community Services, handed out freshly made smoothies to event-goers and offered free pamphlets and DVDs that informed kids on better eating habits. Castaneda explained, “Colton Community Services also provides walks along the Santa Ana River trail every other Saturday at 9 a.m.," she explained of the variety of programs they offer. Not only open to Colton residents, residents from nearby communities are also encouraged to attend as well. "The path is paved so it is also wheelchair accessible. Everyone from all age groups and abilities are encouraged to come out,” said Castaneda. In collaboration with the event, the electric department set up a light post and gave children the chance to give it a climb. The Easter egg hunt was sought out by the electric department a few years ago to create a combination event that contributes to both Easter and Earth Day. As a result of the collaboration, children lined up in the bundles to give the climb a try while parents stood by taking pictures. The electric department gave children more information on solar power and preserving energy while incorporating a little fun into it. Kids got the chance to draw on Easter bags and prep for the massive Easter egg hunt set up throughout the park. Heidi Strutz, recreations coordinator for Colton Community Services, said, “Last year the Easter egg hunt lasted about 45 seconds, that’s all the kids need,” and this year it was just that. Parents and children were given a five minute warning to get located in specific spots sectioned off by age groups to give all kids an equal opportunity to roam and search for Easter goodies. After parents and children were settled, everyone was given a five-second count down and then the hunting commenced, and children joyfully filled their baskets and raced around in search for eggs. [END] STORY: Easter Egg Hunt/ Earth Day Celebration BYLINE: Arya Abrego PHOTOS BY: Arya Abrego PHOTOS: 6 Photos will be sent in the following email PHOTO CAPTIONS: IMG_5088 Antonette Williams and Jordan Orozco help set us Easter Egg Hunt decorations IMG_5092 Melanie Sanchez (bunny) poses with Tai Harris, son Mark and daughter Marlene. IMG_5096 Free Hot Dogs donated to the community IMG_5106 Hailey Thorig and Austin Fuentez race to fill up their baskets IMG_5115 Ed Ficara and Stan Stosel cook up hot dogs for the community IMG_5079 Easter/Earth Day Festivities WORD COUNT: 570 CONTACTS: Colton Community Service- Recreation Coordinator, Heidi Strutz, 909-370-6155, HStrutz@ci.colton.ca.us, Event Coordinator, Felipe Vega, 909-370-5542, Music- DJ, Carlos Alba Jr., 909-953-4597, oldschoolmobiledj@yahoo.com Environmental Conservation: Supervisor, Jessica Sutorus, 909-370-5561,jsutorus@ci.colton.ca.us, Anabel Castaneda, acastaneda@ci.colton.ca.us MEMO TO EDITOR: This event was very enjoyable and busy. It had a great turn out. SPIN-OFF STORIES FOUND: The Eagles Club in San Bernardino is hosting events to help raise money to keep the club in business. Most recent event was taking place during Easter Egg hunt but I gave the City News Group contact information. ARTICLE TITLES: Hoppin for Environmental Change, Easter Weekend Fun, Colton’s Easter Extravaganza is Beneficial to the Enviroment ARTICLE: Hundreds of children and adults showed up to this year’s Easter egg Hunt/Earth Day event in Colton to participate in fun filled activities. This year’s event was held at Rich Dauer Park by Colton’s Recreation Service, Healthy Colton’s, which gave kids from the age range of 0-12 a chance to score a variety of candy during their Easter egg hunt while incorporating some wealthy knowledge and tips on how to preserve and take care for the Earth. The parks grass was covered with over 6,000 Easter eggs and abundant amounts of candy. With a great show up, the event was nothing but smiles, laughter, and good spirits from families. Many people took part in showing up and surrounding booths set up to give information master gardening programs, solar energy, water preservation, and also give them the opportunity to make pledges to better protect their community. This is the first year the recreation service has hosted the egg hunt at Rich Dauer Park. Event coordinator Felipe Vega explains that he’s “received much help from the community,” by which he refers to all eggs and candy that were generously donated by P&G. They were also given Easter Baskets by De Parma to raffle off as prizes to people who attended the event. Among other donations, Public Services were awarded a grant to cover free hot dogs for the community’s event. The recreation service is beginning to receive more and more help as the year’s progress. Anabel Castenda, from Colton Community Service handed out freshly made smoothes to event goers and offered free pamphlets and DVDs that informed kids on better eating habits. Castenda explained, “Colton Community Service also provides walks along the Santa Ana River trail every other Saturday at 9 a.m”. Not only is it open to people in the community but it is encouraged for people from outside to attend as well. The path is paved so it is also wheelchair accessible. Everyone from all age groups and abilities are encouraged to come out.” In collaboration with the event, the electric department set up a light post and gave children the chance to give it a climb. The Easter Egg Hunt was sought out by the electric department a few years ago to create a combinational event that contributes to both Easter and Earth Day. As a result from the collaboration, children lined up in the bundles in anticipation to give the climb a try while parents stood by taking pictures. The electric department gave children more information on solar power and preserving energy while incorporating a little fun into it. Kids got the chance to draw on Easter bags and prep for the massive Easter egg hunt set up throughout the park. Heidi Strutz, who works as the recreations coordinator for Colton Community Service says, “Last year the Easter Egg Hunt lasted about 45 seconds, that’s all the kids need,” and this year it was just that. Parents and children were given a five minute warning to get located in specific spots sectioned off by age groups to give all kids an equal opportunity to roam and search for Easter goodies. After parents and children were settled, everyone was given a five second count down and then the hunting commenced. Children joyfully filled their baskets and raced around in search for eggs. All in all, the event was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with the family.