Children’s Program Happiness: Easter Bunny hops through campus

Thanks to the generosity of Cost Plus World Market (featured in our April 10th blog),  on Easter morning, our students woke to find that the Easter Bunny had visited Latham School. Colorful baskets overflowed with toys and treats and giant eggs filled with stuffed animals were hidden around the campus, one for each to student to find. The Easter Sunday smiles were abundant, and we’re so grateful to staff for their creativity in engaging our students in fun, non-food-related, safe activities to mark the special holiday. Here are some of the Easter highlights through the words of Latham staff members and parents:

Residential Supervisor Dominic Monick summarized the day:  “This Easter, all the students woke to find that the Easter bunny had arrived with Easter baskets loaded with games, toys, and candy for the students. After their lunch, they were greeted on the field by the Easter Bunny and challenged to find an Easter Egg special for them. These cool eggs were donated by the World Market, Hyannis. Each egg had either a stuffed chicken, bunny, or a lamb. All the students worked together to find their hidden eggs. After each egg was located, students were invited for an Easter Bunny meet-n-greet. In the evening, students took part in our traditional Easter dinner provided by Chef Paul and the amazing kitchen staff.  The kids were festive and in great spirits, there wasn’t a long face in sight on Sunday.”

After hearing about the Easter plans in advance, one parent wrote: “Thank you for all you’re doing, especially to make Easter so much fun for the kids and keeping them entertained and minimal anxiety for the students through all of this. We know Latham staff is second to none and really stepping up to the plate to cover all the bases. So appreciative and blessed to have Latham!”

After Easter, the same parent followed up with: “[My son] called this morning and was a chatterbox (and so happy) with all the goodies the Easter Bunny brought him. He described each trinket in full detail. Thank you again, Latham staff, for making this holiday eggstra special for our children…. I know just how happy Latham makes him.”

Another parent praised our staff: “What made my Easter so especially nice was the telephone call that I received from [my son] on Easter Sunday morning.  He was so very very happy about his Easter morning at Latham and about looking forward to the rest of the day. I compliment all of you at Latham Centers for all of the organizing and planning that took place to make Easter such a special day. When [he] and I spoke by phone last night, he was so delighted with all of the details on Easter at the Latham campus: his Easter Basket, Easter Egg search, watching an on-screen church service, and enjoying the special Easter dinner.  The day’s success is the result of attentive direction and care.”

The entire Latham Community sincerely appreciates the caring and talented staff in our Children’s Services and Adult Services Programs. They are working hard to find ways to create happiness and warm memories for our students and adult residents during this difficult time. All of us at Latham wish to thank Cost Plus World Market for their wonderful donation.