Whether it’s organizing a community egg hunt in Clinton or her new role with the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Emily Roy has a passion for giving back to her community.

Every year, Emily would hide Easter eggs for her daughter. However, with just one kid looking for the eggs, Emily laments that the hunt would finish rather quickly. So, instead, Emily had the idea to expand the hunt into a community-wide event.

“This was three years ago, when people were kind of coming out of COVID, but still nervous about doing things. Being stuck inside all the time was rough on a lot of people, so I thought a community event outside would be a good idea,” says Emily, a Clinton resident. “I went to the local town Facebook group and posted to see if anyone was interested in doing an egg hunt at the Town Beach.”

Emily was unsure what to expect, thinking that this event was going to be either a hit or a miss. However, it proved such a success that Emily has organized the hunt every year since then, culminating with last year’s hunt of over 4,000 eggs.

The hunt is on again this year, with the details still being finalized. Emily says the tentative date is Saturday, April 6 at the Clinton Town Beach, though that is subject to change. A Facebook group called “3rd Annual Clinton Spring Egg Hunt” has been set up and will have more details about the event as it gets closer.

To ensure that as many kids as possible feel comfortable taking part in this event, Emily emphasizes that it is a spring egg hunt—not an Easter egg hunt.

“I specifically didn’t do Easter because I wanted everyone to be able to participate regardless of religion and have as many kids as possible be in it,” Emily explains.

It is no easy feat for one person to pull off organizing this event every year, but Emily gets a great deal of support from the fellow members of her community.

“I can do it because it’s a community effort,” Emily says. “Parks and Recreation gives me permission to use the beach, the police department let me put a box at the station for donations, and Chow Restaurant donated chocolate bunnies. I stuff the eggs myself and hide them.”

As the details are being finalized, Emily says that anyone who feels comfortable donating to the egg hunt would be hugely appreciated.

“I understand it’s a hard year financially, but if people are able to, any effort helps—a piece of candy, a bracelet, anything,” says Emily. “I’m always looking for volunteers.”

Emily says that her favorite part of the event is the way that everyone bands together to make it happen.

“Having so many people who are complete strangers be willing to donate,” Emily says. “Even people who don’t have kids or have kids who are older donate want to make sure the event happens and be a part of it because they love the community so much. It’s encouraging.”

Emily adds that even hiding the eggs—a process that can take quite a while—is so much fun that she looks forward it.

"The point of the day is the memories the families and kids make, not the number of eggs or trinkets each kid finds," Emily says.

Beyond the egg hunt, Emily has turned her love of community events into a new career. Since Dec. 2023, Emily has been the membership and events coordinator at the Madison Chamber of Commerce.

“I work on meeting new members, as well as trying to build on what the chamber already has and growing it. We’re especially big on organizing community events for everyone,” Emily says.

While organizing the events, Emily finds that it’s fun to meet new members and show them how joining the chamber can not only benefit their business, but that participating in the events goes a long way, too.

“I love the events, and I love being with people doing things that brings people together,” Emily states. “My favorite part of this is definitely all the people I get to meet. I learn so much from the members every day.”

Fortunately for Emily, the Madison Chamber has no shortage of events coming up. While the Kansas City Chiefs are busy celebrating their Super Bowl win as the best team in the NFL, anyone who is a fan of chili, soup, or stew can make their way to downtown Madison between noon at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 to see who will be crowned the Souper Bowl VIII champion.

At the event, local restaurants, organizations, businesses, and cooking enthusiasts will compete to make the best chili, soup, and stew. Attendees can sample the different foods and cast a vote for their favorite. Tickets to the event are $12, and a rain date of Sunday, Feb. 25 has been set in case of inclement weather.

Along with the Souper Bowl, Emily also is working on events such as the TrailblazeHER event for women on Thursday, March 7, as well as art and antique shows set for May and September.

More information on the events or chamber can be found on https://www.madisonct.com/.

Emily credits her parents with instilling a sense of civic mindedness in her while she was growing up in Noank, a small village in Groton.

“Growing up, my parents made it a priority for my sisters and I to give back to the community. When I had my daughter, I taught her to give back, and she loves it,” Emily says. “She helps me stuff the eggs for the egg hunt. I want to lead by example for her.”

In her spare time, Emily can be found spending time with her daughter as they learn new activities together, such as knitting.

Emily moved to Clinton five years ago, and she is quite fond of its quaint shoreline location, as well as the people who live in town.

“I love the community’s willingness to step up and support each other,” says Emily. “Neighbors feel like family here.”