Bronx seniors and kids enjoyed an afternoon of fun at the NYPD’s Easter “Eggstravaganza” event at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx on Thursday.
The March 21 event was hosted by the 44th Precinct and Community Council and was the brainchild of NYPD Community Affairs Bureau Officer Shala.
“We usually do a Halloween [event], we usually do Thanksgiving, Christmas, [and] a book bag giveaway,” Officer Shala said. “I was like, ‘wait, why don’t we do an Easter extravaganza?'”
Shala organized the 44th Precinct’s inaugural Easter event with her colleagues, Community Affairs Bureau Officers Cirikovic and Escobar. Shala told the Bronx Times that they work a lot with senior homes and community engagement was an essential part of the officers’ work.
“We’re trying to reach out [to] the older adults and the youth,” Shala said. “We are trying to combine the two groups to get them to engage.”
The steady cold breeze aside, the weather was “eggcellent” as NYPD officers handed out goodies and food courtesy of Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s and Bronx’s very own restaurants like 161 Bar & Grill and Giovanni’s.
Other sponsors of the event included Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, the 161st Street Business Improvement District, Assemblymember Landon Dais, Council Member Althea Stevens, Walmart, The Home Depot — which hosted an arts and crafts activity table — and BJ’s Wholesale Club, which donated clothes, snacks and juices.
Mildred James, president of 44th Community Council, said about 20 seniors were helping out with the event.
“At our last [Community Council] meeting, we spoke about our seniors. They were here before us and we should appreciate that fact,” James said. “This is something good.”
Other fun activities included popcorn and cotton candy stations, face painting, photo ops with the Easter Bunny and friendly egg & spoon and Bunny hop competitions.
But the highlight of the afternoon was the Easter egg hunt.
Six members from the NYPD’s Law Enforcement Explorers program helped the officers distribute hundreds of candy-stuffed Easter eggs across the park’s lawn, which the kids collected in record time, filling their baskets and bags to the brim.
Nanny Mia Batista learned about the event from a flier posted in her building and thought it would be a fun afternoon activity for the two youngsters in her care.
“It’s so cute. I’ve never seen something like this,” Batista said. “I’m so excited right now. I’m living it for them. Like, I want to play, but it’s not my turn.”
Twelve-year-old Taquan Mizell collected about 20 eggs. He had as much fun as his brother and “forged” new friendships.
“It was really nice. There were a lot of people [and] things seemed fair,” Mizell said.
Sisters Isabella and Sophia participated in the egg & spoon and Bunny hop competitions and each won gift baskets.
Isabella, 10, said she would definitely be back next year.
“It was fun, and we [made] a lot of good memories,” Isabella said.
“I loved the experience because I got everything for free,” Isabella’s 6-year-old sister Sophia added.
Assemblymember Landon Dais had planned to attend the event but was stuck in traffic on his way back from Albany. Through his spokesperson, Dais thanked the 44th Precinct for organizing the event for young and old and was looking forward to more partnerships bringing activities to his community.
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