Printer Friendly Version - Branford American Legion Supports 67th Annual Egg Hunt

Shown here presenting a $500 donation from Branford American Legion, Corcoran Sundquist Post #83 to support the town's 2018 Easter Egg Hunt are (l-r:) Post 83Junior Commander Ray Ingraham, Branford Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr., Post 83 Commander Rich Dunn and Post 83 Adjutant Dennis Flanigan.Pam Johnson/The Sound

Branford Rec. Receives $500 Donation from Corcoran Sundquist Post #83

You know spring is on the way when Branford's American Legion, Corcoran Sundquist Post #83, starts gearing up to help sponsor the Robert Marston Easter Egg Hunt with the Town of Branford.

This year, Post 83 has pumped up its support by presenting Branford Recreation Dept. with a check for $500, to help fuel the hunt with hundreds of pieces of candy and eggs for kids to find.

Founded 67 years ago by Branford's American Legion, the hunt became a collaboration between the veterans' group and the Town of Branford over five decades ago, and has remained a great team effort ever since, said Branford Recreation Director of 25 years, Alex Palluzzi Jr.

The annual Robert Marston Easter Egg Hunt will once again be offered, for free, for all Branford boys and girls ages 10 and under. The 2018 hunt is set for Saturday, March 24, at 11 a.m. (raindate, Sat. March 31).

The hunt takes place at Foote Park on Melrose Avenue; with Palluzzi counting kids down to take the field in bunny-quick rounds by age groups (four and under; kids ages five and six; seven and eight; and nine and ten).

Members of Post 83 turn out in force to help prepare the hunting ground each year. Even during some lean years, when the veterans' group was unable to support the hunt financially, its members continued to assist by providing manpower and supervision for the event, said Post 83 Adjutant and five-time past Commander Dennis Flanigan.

Recently, with some energized new members and the continued leadership of Flanigan as well as Post 83 Commander Ray Dunn and Junior Commander Ray Ingraham, momentum is beginning to build; and that's allowed the group to provide some significant monetary support to this year's event.

"With this donation of $500, we want to support the town and to show our commitment to the town, as well as the veterans," said Flanigan.

Veterans interested in becoming a part of the American Legion and assisting with its support of the Branford community are encouraged to join Post 83.

Palluzzi said the Rec. Dept. is always grateful for dedication and support Post 83 has provided the town through the years. He said the cost for the Robert Marston Easter Egg Hunt touches on $1,000 annually and that the generous donation toward this year's event will "...make it even better."

As an eyewitness the hunt's annual, kid-frenzied clean-up, Flanigan, a Post 83 member of 41 years, said the old-fashioned Branford community event remains extremely popular.

"You cannot believe the amount of kids that come to this," said Flanigan. "The Easter Bunny shows up on the fire truck, and when the whistle goes off at 11 a.m., it's something to see. It's been very successful."

For more information on the Robert Marsten 2018 Easter Egg Hunt call (203) 488-8304 or visit the Rec. Dept. website through www.branford-ct.gov To learn more about Branford American Legion Post 83, visit http://www.ct.legion.org or find American Legion Post 83 Branford, CT on Facebook.