Jaycees seek donations for 30th annual Easter Egg Hunt prizes

What a bunch of eggs.

The Carson City Jaycees will boil 30,000 of them on April 15 this year, one day before Easter, in preparation for the annual Easter Egg hunt at Governors Field.

The Jaycees usually do 25,000 eggs, but in honor of the 30th anniversary of the group, they've ratcheted up the amount by 5,000.

It's not the cost of the eggs that the Jaycees need help with - a cost that will run them $1,000 this year - it's that they need help with grand prizes and with donations with which to buy middle and small-sized prizes.

The group usually gives bicycles as grand prizes in all of the age groups except for 0-1 and 2-3, said Wendy Tims, president of the Jaycees. Middle-size prizes can include gift baskets, dinner certificates or stuffed animals. Smaller prizes are solid chocolate bunnies and marshmallow candies.

The Easter Egg Hunt is broken into groups of various ages, including: 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10 and above. Each group has a grand prize or two and several medium and small prizes. There is also an egg hunt for special-needs children.

Once the egg hunt starts at 11 a.m., the field, which is plastered with the bright colors, is cleared within a couple of minutes by eager children. Winning eggs are specially-marked, but there's no way to know beforehand what to look for.

This year's hunt is scheduled for April 16.

"It is sponsored by the community and free for all of the children," said Tims, who has been participating in the hunt in some form or another since the age of 12.

About 2,500 children participate each year.

Also, on April 7, some of the Jaycees will dress up in bunny costumes and solicit donations from patrons at several restaurants and bars in the area. The bunnyhop usually rings in between $2,500 and $3,000 each year.

"That's a major way we pay for it too," Tims said.

So far, no grand prizes have been donated. The Jaycees are thankful for whatever they receive - last year Costco donated 20 baskets, which were used for the special-needs children.

Otherwise the event is BYOB - bring your own bag or basket.

"If someone wants to donate say 20 stuffed animals, we'll find a group for it," said Tims. "Contact us and we'll be happy to pick up prizes. We've done scooters before. Generally we try to do grand prizes that are more than $50."

The Easter Egg Hunt is the Jaycees' primary event each year. They are looking for members to join the club.

Anyone who wants to help can call Tims at home at 883-8782 and leave a message. She will return the call.

• Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.