- November 21, 2024
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Children pointed excitedly and began to move toward the Easter Bunny as he made his way into Bleekman Hall on Saturday, April 1, marking the start of Tomoka United Methodist Church’s annual Easter party and egg hunt.
Family and friends gathered at the event to partake in the festivities. Cindy and Brian Buccellato, with their children Stella and Jack, came from Colorado to join their parents on a month-long vacation in Florida. They stopped in for some fun activities for the kids, photos with the Easter Bunny and the egg hunt.
We enjoy providing activities for families and the community. We invite folks to be a part of our congregation." — Pastor John Gill
Katie and Samantha Gilliard gravitated toward coloring on the dry erase board and the Easter movie being shown in a separate room. Grandfather Barry Petoh was on “grampy duty” since their mom, who is a cardiac nurse, was working. He and his wife have been staying with his daughter’s family in the Trails since Hurricane Ian.
“Grampy’s being the Easter Bunny guide,” he said. “Next month, we move in to our house. It hasn’t been an easy road but there are people that are worse off. We’re getting there.”
Every year, church volunteers offer cookies and juice to the participants before the kids venture outside for the Easter egg hunt. The hunt is divided into three age groups — preschoolers, kindergartners through second grade, and third grade and older. Each plastic egg holds candy or a prize-specific note which is collected at the prize table.
Pastor John Gill helped the kids empty their eggs and discover which prizes they had won.
“We enjoy providing activities for families and the community,” he said. “We invite folks to be a part of our congregation.”