Students at Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center fill Easter baskets for needy kids

About 200 children ages 3 to 12 at the Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center made spring Easter baskets for needy kids in residential, foster and hospital care in coordination with Open Arms Mission and PLAN Food Pantry.

"We are putting things in Easter baskets, and they are going to go to people in the hospitals," 6-year-old Ben Anderson said as he joined other kindergartners in putting candy and toys in baskets. "It feels really good and helpful."

The goal of the Lindenhurst child care center was to make 400 baskets for children who may not receive a gift on Easter morning. During the last 12 years, the center has distributed more than 5,000 baskets.

"We have donations from all around the city. We are packing and packing and packing. This charity work is just as important to them as their academics," kindergarten teacher Stephanie Forth explained. "This is just an amazing event."

Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center children range from preschool to kindergarten. There are also older kids in an after-school program.

Volunteers will distribute the baskets to 20 locations including The Department of Children and Family Services (Foster Care Division), Kid's Hope, Allendale, Lake County Housing Authority, the Lake Villa/Avon/PLAN Food Pantries, PADS and the John Stroger County Hospital and Mt. Sinai Hospital.

This year's sponsors include Pack Rat, Uline, Dollar General, Bear Magic and The 100% Foundation.