Gina Montalto egg my house event — Gina Montalto. {Courtesy family}

By Jill Fox

Lawns around Parkland will soon be adorned with eggs as volunteer bunnies prepare to deliver.

The fourth annual “Egg My Lawn” neighborhood event supporting the Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation will take place on the evening of Saturday, April 3.

The project was created in honor of Gina, a 14-year-old victim of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, who loved children and the thrill of the hunt on Easter morning.

Last year, volunteer bunnies delivered over 7,000 eggs to 200 homes despite the chaos caused by the pandemic.

On Thursday, March 11, Gina’s mother, Jennifer Montalto, is holding a volunteer appreciation event to thank participants for their hard work and dedication over the past three years.

“It’s a thank you, feel-good event for the community,” said Jennifer.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., residents are invited to Deja Blue Restaurant in Parkland to bring donations, pick-up supplies, and shop for foundation merchandise.

Deja Blue is one of five community business partners with drop-off locations for this year’s donations.

CrossFit VICE – 11354 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs

CrossFit Hardcore West – 7251 FL-7, Parkland

Family Bagels of Long Island – 5906 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs

Parkland Bagels – 7111 FL-7, Coconut Creek

Deja Blue – 7805 North University Drive, Parkland

Volunteer coordinator Catherine Walker, who has been involved with ‘Egg my Lawn’ since the beginning, said they offer many opportunities to help and be involved.

“Every year, it evolves into a more organized process because of the enthusiasm and dedication of our growing family of volunteers,” she said.

Organizers have made preparations to execute the fundraiser while keeping families safe. They limit the number of individuals stuffing and sorting the plastic candy-filled eggs, which will be disinfected and packaged more than 72 hours before delivery.

Residents have the choice of having the eggs hidden on their lawns, as in the past, or the “bunnies” can leave a discrete package of eggs for parents to open and hide. As always, the popular Easter bunny footprints (made using baby powder) will appear on walkways as evidence of his visit.

The cost for a home to be “egged” is $25 for 30 eggs or $50 for 60. Register here by March 22 and sign up to volunteer.

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Author Profile

Jill Fox

Jill Fox is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. She has worked on the public relations side as well as the television side of marketing for NBC Universal. A true Floridian, Fox grew up in Ormond Beach and now resides in Parkland with her husband, Brian and their two children, Madden, 11 and Randi, 7.