By Cathy Miller

You could say that Cathy Miller’s Persons of the Week this week are the Kids of the Week! And they came in droves to look for Easter eggs …. and for fun and other activities, too! All photos in this story were shot by Cathy.

On April 16, families and friends gathered for an Easter Eggstravaganza at Riverfront Park in Hackettstown. A collaborative effort, the festive affair was co-presented by the Hackettstown High School Key Club (members pictured above), the Hackettstown Business Improvement District, and the Centenary University Alumni Association Executive Board – all in support of The Arc of Warren County.

For over 20 years, Hackettstown High School’s Key Club ran The Arc’s Mini-Carnival at the high school. This year the Key Club created a completely new affair with the Easter Eggstravaganza, marking the first time the Hackettstown BID and Centenary University Alumni Association Executive Board have joined forces with the highly regarded school organization for an event to benefit The Arc.

Along with a traditional Easter Egg Hunt, there was a Homemade Easter Bonnet Contest, crafts, live music, and Marley’s Gotham Grill food truck. The Key Club hosted the Easter Bunny for photos and high-fives, along with a bake sale and reusable shopping bag giveaway. They also supervised a rock painting table and a bracelet making table. More energetic activities, including kite flying, bucket stilts, and giant bubbles, took place in the wide-open field.

Local vendors added to the excitement: Go-Getters, the Arc of Warren County’s Self Advocacy Group; the Centenary University Alumni Association with coloring sheets and a golden egg game of chance; the Hackettstown Business Improvement District with their spectacular prize wheel; 6 Daughters Soap Boutique; Czig Meister Brewing Company; Global Union Multiservice LLC; T-Mobile; and Bright Smiles 4 Kids Pediatric Dentistry. The Hackettstown First Aid & Rescue Squad gave “tours” of their emergency vehicle.

As storm clouds moved in, and the first drops of rain fell, the “Egg Hunters” headed home with baskets of colorful eggs and plenty of other goodies. With lots of laughs and a gaggle of giggles, a good time was had by all – all for the good of The Arc of Warren County.

Established 68 years ago, The Arc of Warren County, one of 700 chapters nationally, assists more than 1,100 people annually – both individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their family members. Their diverse programs range from residential group homes and supervised apartments, day services, community-based supports, advocacy services, and early interventions to recreation and summer camp, Special Olympics training, and more.

The Key Club is part of the Kiwanis International family and is the largest and oldest service program for high school students where they learn to work together to serve community while building character and leadership skills. A student-run organization, local officers are elected by Key Club members within their schools. Board Officers are elected at District and International Conventions.