Easter Bunny delights South Greensburg children with delivery of baskets

Jaymie Roman waited excitedly on her South Greensburg front porch — she knew the Easter bunny was coming.

The 3-year-old girl watched with her mother Ali Roman as a caravan carrying the bunny moved slowly Wednesday morning down Ashland Street, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

“I think it’s really nice that they’re actually trying to include the kids in something special,” Ali Roman said. “At least there’s something to do as a community even if you can’t be together.”

Residents of all ages — and several dogs — looked out the windows or stood on their porches as the caravan with police, firefighters, council members and the Easter bunny slowly wound through the borough. An Easter egg hunt planned for Saturday was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and borough officials switched gears, said Jennifer Detore, recreation director.

Instead, they brought the eggs to the children.

“It turned into a kid hunt,” she said. “They all need a little bit of happiness. We want to make sure all these kids get something, and it’s fun for us.”

Volunteers wearing masks quickly pulled baskets out of vehicles and delivered them to front doors of about 100 children. Ten area businesses sponsored the event and Councilwoman Kathy Hopkins donned the bunny suit.

“Since we can’t do an Easter egg hunt because of social distancing … (Detore) came up with the idea to do the baskets and candy treat bags for the children,” said Mayor Kevin Fajt.

Kristen Readd took a photo of her 6-year-old daughter Aubrey on their Elm Street sidewalk as the caravan stopped in front of their house and dropped off a basket.

“The fact that they were able to do this when we are stuck in the house is kind of nice,” she said.