Easter Bunny receives eggceptional help from Lakeland Emergency Squad

BYRAM. Lakeland EMS Egghunt needed to dye 5,000 eggs and so members of the community had fun while lending a helping hand at the squad building on Route 206 on Friday in advance of Saturday's big Easter Egg Hunt at Wild West City
By Mandy Coriston
The Lakeland Emergency Squad lent a different kind of assistance over Easter weekend when they helped out the Easter Bunny by dyeing and laying out nearly 5,000 hard-boiled eggs for area children. The two-day event, a nearly 50-year-old tradition, began with a Friday morning coloring party at the squad building on Rt. 206 and concluded on Saturday with a massive egg hunt at nearby Wild West City.
Lakeland member Pete Spinney chaired the event, and oversaw the sorting, boiling, cooling, and dyeing of the eggs, which were acquired wholesale from the Hackettstown Livestock Exchange. Sussex County Rental Center in Andover Borough graciously donated the use of four propane burners, and Boy Scout Troop 276 (Byram) and Venturing Crew 276 (Byram) joined in the fun, gathering around a table lined with catering trays full of food coloring. The near-endless supply of eggs took about three hours to process.
Saturday morning brought wet and windy weather, but that didn’t deter the rescue squad from getting out early and distributing the fruits of their labors. The area behind Main Street in Wild West City became a sea of color against dreary skies as eggs were laid out on tables and benches, tucked into the nooks and crannies of tree trunks and branches, and nestled into the grass. 6 prize eggs were also hidden; those lucky searchers would be rewarded with a special basket of goodies.
The Easter Bunny himself (perfectly portrayed by squad member and Andover Township Committeeman Mike Lensak) was escorted in by ambulance "just in time" to welcome dozens of children and kick off the hunt. At the signal, the kids splashed their way through the puddles, seeking the coveted prize eggs, loading up baskets and bags with hard-boiled treasure, and making muddy family memories.