Easter in the neighborhood: Cooper City celebrates Easter with a basket drive-thru event

BY NINA RAMIREZ

On Saturday, April 3, Cooper City hosted an event dedicated to Easter to give back to citizens who wanted to celebrate the well-known holiday during the pandemic. This occasion was organized by the Teen Council and multiple members participated in decorating for the day and handing out multiple kinds of treats. Other important members of the city were there to assist in giving back to the community like police officers and even the Mayor of Cooper City Greg Ross.

There were two tents for the event, each for handing out separate types of goods to the families who came by. The first and main tent contained Teen Council members handing out Easter baskets to every child in each car. There were two different buckets: one for toddlers that contained safe and appropriate treats such as rubber duck toys fitted in Easter wear and one for older children that contained toys and candies suited for them. 

“I think the event went really well; I am so thankful to be able to work with Teen Council to help make these events happen,” Teen Council member and CCHS junior Savannah Schwantes said. “It’s so nice to see how much Cooper City cares for the community during these tough times.”

The second tent was used for members to hand out goods to the parents. These “goods” included a pen, a blue pinwheel and a packet containing information on identity theft. The adults in each car were handed these by an officer who participated in the event. 

“The Easter event went very smoothly—everyone loved it.”

Teen Council member and CCHS junior Zoe McCluree

At one point, a photographer came to take pictures of the smiling children in their cars receiving their baskets and of the officers handing out the packets to the parents. 

“The Easter event went very smoothly—everyone loved it,” Teen Council member and CCHS junior Zoe McCluree said. “I loved taking part in it and getting a chance to be involved in my community.”

Along with the two tents came two Easter bunnies dressed for the occasion. Two Teen Council members volunteered to dress in a male and female Easter bunny costume and were on the other side of the pathway, hopping and waving to all the cars that passed by. Some cars even came back with parents letting members know that they already received their baskets but their children just wanted to view the Easter bunny again.

The decorations included cardboard flowers, eggs dangling from the trees and signs planted in the grass that fit with the holiday theme. In addition to the treats originally presented, Mayor of Cooper City Greg Ross was handing out pots with soil and different colored flowers to each car.

“I loved seeing the great celebration despite the limitations which COVID has sadly set upon everyone.”

Teen Council member Colten Penick

“I loved seeing the great celebration despite the limitations which COVID has sadly set upon everyone,” Teen Council member Colten Penick said. “I can tell everyone had a good time and the event was well-structured and well-organized.”

Overall, the event was a success with every car receiving multiple items for both the children and the adults in the vehicle. There were dozens upon dozens of leftover baskets in the end, signifying that every attendee was accounted for and Teen Council celebrated the outcome of the occasion afterwards.

Photo by Nina Ramirez