After a year hiatus, the Sons of the American Legion Post #233 in downtown Lake Orion hosted their annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday in Children’s Park.

Around 50 kids and their families attended the egg hunt. Legion members scattered 800 plastic eggs filled with treats for the kids to find, said Bob Gritzinger, commander of the SAL Squadron 233.

Once the hunt began, it took the kids a mere five minutes to scoop up all of the eggs and began sorting through their plunder.

“I guess next year we need 1,000 eggs,” Gritzinger said.

The American Legion usually hosts a pizza party for the kids after the egg hunt, but due to COVID-19 indoor gathering restrictions, instead handed out gift cards for pizzas.

This year also marked the return of the special needs Easter egg hunt hosted by the Lake Orion Down Syndrome Guild and Special Needs group of Orion and Oxford at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

“Not even the coronavirus can stop us from safely celebrating our special needs friends! This past Saturday (March 27) at the Knights of Columbus Hall we had another successful event. The kids had a ‘hopping’ good time in spite of things being a bit different and not quite back to normal yet,” said Mary Vellucci, who organized the Easter egg hunt and party.

“I have been doing this event since 2008 for our kids. It is very important to spread awareness on our kids abilities, as well as letting them just have some enjoyable fun together, especially after this crazy year we have had.

“One thing for sure, I can’t stress enough how much our Lake Orion and Oxford communities come together to support us. I am very blessed to live in such a place that has so much love and compassion for others. I could never pull off these events without all the help I received — from candy donations from people like, Brian Omilian (Plumbing by the gas guys), to volunteers like Vickie and Neil McCallum, and everyone in between. A special shoutout to our ‘Easter Bunny’, Ray Vellucci, who, no matter what, shows up every year for our kids.

“My heart is overwhelmed with happiness for another good event and I look forward to seeing you at my next one!” Vellucci said.

— J.N.

See the April 7, 2021 issue of The Lake Orion Review for more photos.