By Karen Graham
Based on the cookie consumption, Centennial Place event organizer Meagan Young, over 175 children attended their exuberant event last Sunday. Under sunny skies sheltered from the wind by the building, throngs of eager children, parents, grandparents and caregivers arrived for an early Easter event which is growing in popularity. Enclosed in colourful plastic containers or foil, chocolate Easter eggs has been scattered around the yard and inside the lounge in areas segregated by age group to allow a fair hunt. For each group, a gold metallic specimen was carefully concealed. The lucky child who secured this egg won a bicycle!
Fast feet and good eyesight helped these egg hunters find the golden egg to win bicycles provided by the Resident Counsel. Winners were Rianna Dallard, Felicity Tracey and Brayden Hart (not shown here).
Many of the younger participants did not care what was inside the containers- the joy was in the hunt. With loaded baskets, some parents took the opportunity to take a teaching moment about sharing, which some children embraced. The hunt activity was followed by refreshments and Easter cookies, and then an Easter Basket Decorating contest. Celebrity Judge Easter Bunny perused the tables, eventually selecting a winner from each of the three age groups. These winners received an age-appropriate basket of craft items and goodies.
All prizes were funded by the Centennial Place Resident Council. This group consists of residents who meet monthly to provide feedback to staff about the home, organize and suggest activities for residents, and conduct regular fundraising activities such as the Christmas Bazaar and summer Barbeque events. In addition to funding events like this one, funds raised are also donated to charities selected by the residents.
With residents watching the event from the Fireside Lounge, the event provided a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational engagement which has demonstrated health benefits for all parties. Like the Music and Movement event where toddlers and their caregivers sing and play together in the lounge, this event provides a welcome opportunity for residents to witness the joy, energy and enthusiasm of young children which is contagious. Congratulations to Centennial Place staff and residents for organizing events like these which allow them to connect with the community.
