A Healthy Hunt

By Margaret Hobbs

Five-year-old Jada Cummings, daughter of April Fernandez, visits with the Easter Bunny following the hunt. The second annual hunt is sponsored by Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville and is held at Hickory Creek Elementary.

One doesn’t usually associate egg hunts with good health, but the Hoppin Into Health Egg Hunt presented the idea last Sunday at the annual event at Hickory Creek Elementary. It is sponsored by the Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville, and was rescheduled from Saturday because of inclement weather.

Junior Auxiliary’s national slogan is ‘Healthy Children, Healthy Futures,’ thus providing the opportunity to promote healthy options.

‘We distributed healthy snacks and water to the children, and our prizes were such that they encouraged exercise,’ said president Susan Burks. Ten tricycles or bicycles were awarded to lucky children, as well as Frisbees, hula hoops, jump ropes, outdoor games and a variety of balls.

The hunt, in its second year, featured the hiding of 10,000 colorful eggs, with a designated color specific for certain age groups. The free event welcomed children through 10 years of age, with hundreds participating.

‘We hid 10,000 eggs, and it took them less than three minutes to find them all,’ said J.A. member Michelle Fuston. Member Toree Craven chaired the Hoppin Into Health Egg Hunt project.

The Junior Auxiliary nurtures the welfare of children in the community through various projects, such as its Coats for the Community project, J.A. Pals, Books for Kids Program, and are cooperating with Healing Hearts of TN. The group will observe National J.A. Week April 6-12.