Annual Egg Hunt to Help Four-Legged Friends

Seven years is a long time for anyone to stay committed to an event or cause, so when high school students celebrate the seventh anniversary of a fundraising event that they initiated, it truly is commendable. While most high school seniors are deciding on college, planning for their prom, attending baseball games and track meets, and even making summer plans, James Caldwell High School students Emily Fiore and Morgan Vitiello are busy planning their annual egg hunt to help those less fortunate than themselves. On Saturday, April 5, the girls will hold their seventh annual Egg Hunt at Francisco Park, West Caldwell.

After years of benefitting local families in need, this year, the two girls have teamed up to help their four-legged friends. Over the past several years, the girls became involved with helping abandoned animals. Vitiello volunteers with the Potter League for Animals and Fiore with B.A.R.K.  Both foundations rescue and adopt out animals that otherwise would be euthanized.   All proceeds from this year’s hunt will benefit these organizations.

Fiore and Vitiello began their annual fundraising event as elementary school students after learning about Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a fundraising endeavor designed to raise money for children with cancer.  The girls decided to join the effort, setting up a stand outside their homes and hoping to raise a few dollars for charity. 

Since then, the friends have expanded their fundraising efforts, and began an annual Easter Egg Hunt seven years ago that has raised money for a variety of causes, including several local families and well-known national charities. To date, the girls have raised more than $9000 for charity and local families in need. This year, they hope to raise enough funds to break the $10,000 mark.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 5, the egg hunt will be held at Francisco Park, West Caldwell, and starts at noon for children four and under, and 12:15 p.m. for children ages five to seven. There will also be face painting, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunnies and prizes! The hunt costs just $5 per child, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the animal organizations. 

For more information or to find out how you can help, call 973.226.1072 or 973.364.7559.