Lindenhurst children make spring baskets for less fortunate

Young children scurried around the room at the Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center to assemble spring baskets for Easter and Passover in the 11th annual effort to help the less fortunate.

Children worked on the project that will provide 400 baskets and 100 teen spring bags to be distributed to children through the Department of Children and Family Services, Lake County Housing Authority, area food pantries, Little City, One Hope United, PADS and other groups.

"It's a coordinated effort with local food pantries. We will have them all distributed by Good Friday," executive director Frank Davis explained. "The kids really do get it. That's the most important part."

During two days, 160 children ages 3-12 will participate in collecting candy, food, books and stuffed toys and putting them in Easter baskets.

"I think it's fun and good for other people by giving them food," Timmy Schaap, 6, of Lake Villa, said as he worked with other kindergartners on the baskets.

The goal is to put a smile on children's faces in residential, foster and hospital care when they receive a basket on Easter morning.