More than 30,000 chocolates hidden throughout Beaver Lake Park will lure children to the 15th annual Easter Egg Hunt for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation on Saturday, put on by the Neal Estate Team.
“We usually have over 500 kids, all combined maybe 1,500 people on hand,” said organizer Ron Neal.
“It stared out with just me and a handful of friends and family. … It grew from there and became a community event.”
Refreshments are available, including coffee, hot chocolate, other drinks and hot dogs and all proceeds from the hunt and refreshments go to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Proceeds collected at the event – a suggested $5 donation per child to participate, plus food and drinks are available to purchase – go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, a facility that holds a place in Neal’s heart.
“My sister had a son born with a heart defect and was medevaced [taken by air ambulance] over to Children’s. Unfortunately we lost him, but we got our first exposure to the high level of care they provide and need over at BC Children’s,” Neal explained.
With other interaction over the years, between friends and family, the hospital continues to be the focus of the event. Volunteers run activities such as face painting and crafts, alongside popular visits by the Easter Bunny and BC Children’s Hospital’s Sunny Bear.
That event runs April 19, with registration and activities beginning at 10 a.m. The Easter egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. at the south parking lot of Beaver Lake Park.
“They should arrive with lots of time for parking,” Neal said. “If they arrive at 11, they’ll be disappointed.”
Last year’s event raised more than $4,000 for BC Children’s Hospital.
The event also features the awarding of prizes for a kids colouring contest, on now until the event. Download entries online at ronneal.com/community-support/events, then bring the coloured picture to the hunt.
• Signs of Hope in Africa offers its sixth annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event includes bouncy castles, face-painting, crafts, games, police cars, fire trucks, music, roaming superheroes, barbecue and the highlight – 16,000 chocolate eggs hidden around Beckwith Park, plus a visit from the Easter Bunny. The event runs Sunday, April 20 at Beckwith Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain or shine. Cost is $5 per child for charity. For more info, visit signsofhopeinafrica.org.
• St. Luke’s Church, at Cedar Hill Cross and Cedar Hill roads, hosts an Easter service Sunday, April 20 at 2:30 p.m. The short child-friendly service will be followed by an Easter egg hunt. For more info, call 250-477-6741 or visit stlukesvictoria.ca.
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