UPDATE: Here are all the details about the Easter Egg Hunt.

For many years the City of Mountlake Terrace had provided funding for an annual Mountlake Terrace Easter egg hunt. It would be $1,000-$1,500 and the event would generally draw a few hundred people. In its efforts to maintain core city services on decreased revenue during the down ecnonomy, the city has had to discontinue funding to most community organizations in the city, including the Easter egg hunt.

That hasn’t stopped Seuan Richard of the Red Onion from taking responsibility for planning the Easter egg hunt. The city still hasn’t officially turned down Richards’ request for funds but they are not expected to be able to help.

Seuan Richards of the Red Onion is spearheading the event and has gathered significant support from other Mountlake Terrace businesses, churches and residents. Here’s a list of the businesses and groups that have signed up so far to help collect eggs/candy or donating prizes (MLTnews sponsors in bold):

• the Red Onion
• Homestreet Bank
• Roger’s Market
• Big E Brewery
• Cascade Elite Gymnastics
• DD Meats
• Shell
• Waldron Chiropractic
• True Value
• Sorelli Pizza
• Seattle Tae Kwon Do
• Bethesda Lutheran Church
• Creekside Church
• the MLT business Association
• the Crazy Moose Casino
• MLT Seniors

The event will take place on Saturday, April 3rd at 10 AM. Kids up to age 11 will have a chance to search for and collect some of the 5,000 candy-filled plastic eggs. Certain eggs will contain other prizes such and gift certificates and small toys. Seaun has already collected well over 5,000 plastic eggs but is still in need of lots of candy and other prizes.

How can you help?

• Coming up this Sunday, March 14, Richards will be looking for volunteers to help pass out posters and flyers to local businesses around town. Around the 25th of March, they may be looking for volunteers to help stuff all of the eggs.
• On the day of the event they will be looking for volunteers to help hide the eggs, man a couple of prize booths, watch all the action and clean up after the event.
• Most of the businesses above will have a collection box for people to donate candy. The best way to donate (and support another local business while you’re at it), would be to buy some Easter candy from Roger’s Market and drop it off at there collection bin or across the street at the Red Onion.

If you can help in any of these ways, stop by the Red Onion or fill out this form and we’ll pass on your information.

I am really impressed with how the community has stepped up to the plate and is helping to pull off a truely community oriented event. You guys better watch out because I have another idea for the summer. Good job MLT and thanks for the continued support. Seuan Richardsthe Red Onion

[image courtesy lyl58]