The HVAF Veteran Engagement Committee Eggstravaganza:

A Burger and Dog Grilling, Squirrel Stealing, Family Feeling, Event!

Baskets Full of Eggs!

Four years ago, we held our very first Easter Egg Hunt, a small affair at a local park. This event started the Veteran Engagement Committee, a group of staff and volunteers dedicated to creating events for our HVAF families, hoping to foster bonding and lasting memories. We had our fourth Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, and it was another great event! The day was a tad cool but was blessed with beautiful sunshine and crystal blue skies.

Our Grill Master, Matthew, fired up the grill and the Blackstone and got burgers, hot dogs, and brats sizzling for our guests. Families arrived with excitement and anticipation! The families enjoyed the lunch first, topping off the meal with our Pastry Chef Anne’s world-famous brownies.

The Sneaky Squirrel!

While families ate, an intruder encroached on the egg hunting grounds. A squirrel began stealing eggs!

I hid three very special eggs, the golden eggs. The children who found these eggs would win a special prize, a full basket of Easter treats! A surprise winner, the squirrel, discovered one of these eggs! I would have given the squirrel his well-deserved prize, but he had scampered away. I hid the egg again and soon after three children found the special eggs!

The GOLDEN Egg!

This year, we also had a special addition to the event! Big Brothers/Big Sisters had a table and shared with our families about what they offer. Several kids signed up for a mentor, adding additional resources and support in their life!

Every child walked away from the event, with two baskets full of candy and lots of family memories.

As the event wrapped up, I spoke to one of the mom’s attending and asked if she enjoyed the event. She responded that the last place they lived, they didn’t have a community, there was nothing for the kids. She was SO thankful for HVAF, for the community the organization provides, and for the fun opportunities for their children.

To learn more about how you can support the Veteran Engagement Committee, please contact Andrea at 765-425-3366 or acarlile@hvaf.org

And if you would like to support HVAF, please click below and donate to support veterans and their families today!

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