Backyard egg hunt draws dozens of children

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April showers did not deter dozens of children from racing into Diane Radtke’s backyard in search of colorful plastic eggs during her 21st community Easter egg hunt on March 29.

The East Meadow resident dispersed 2,278 eggs throughout her backyard, filling them with candy, toys and money for children throughout Nassau County. “I like seeing the same kids come back year after year,” she said.

In the hunt’s first year there were just six children searching for 300 eggs and each year after it has grown in attendance and activity. This year, Radtke invited the children at East Meadow’s Calvary Lutheran Nursery School, where her granddaughter Julianna Morgan, 3, of Levittown, is a student.

Nineteen years ago, Radtke began collecting food and household items to donate to the food pantry at St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church in East Meadow. As her hunt grows, she donates more goods to stock the pantry, which is relied on by many local residents around the holidays.

Children in attendance also feasted on holiday treats and took photos with the Easter Bunny, which was played by East Meadow High School senior Bobby Douglas.