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South Asian Network welcomes Easter with an egg hunt for local families

April 14, 2022   ·   0 Comments

On Saturday, April 9, the South Asian Network of Simcoe – a community organization based in Alliston – hosted its first Easter event with about 100 people in attendance, including Mayor Rick Milne.

The event included games, crafts, snacks, family photos and a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny.

Taking place at the Kingsmere Retirement Clubhouse, with registration set at $15 for a family of five, several community sponsors helped bring this event to life, including: A1 Grocery – Barrie, BarBurrito – Alliston, DD’s Events – Brampton, Dominion Lending Centres (Tony Phekoo) – Alliston, Harvey’s – Alliston, Momentum Mortgage (Matthew Patterson) – Alliston & Barrie, Mumbai Central – Barrie, Petro Canada – Cookstown, Pizza Hut – Alliston, and Pizzaiolo – Alliston.

“We’d also like to thank Laxmi Deepa and Kristin Peereboom for their photography services,” said Anjana Thom, event organizer.

The South Asian Network is a community group with membership climbing on a weekly basis.

“We are now 180 members strong,” said Anjana. “And there are plans to organize this group as a non-profit later this year with a proper board structure.”

Anjana told The Times the group decided to organize an Easter event following the success of their first ever Diwali event, held in October 2021 at the Alliston Legion.

“We had plans to host a few more events after that, however, when the government brought in mandates to restrict indoor gatherings, we found ourselves having to put the idea aside,” she said. “This was the first event we were able to do after the lifting of gathering restrictions. We wanted to plan an event that would be kid-focused and would bring families together for fun and socializing. Hence, we planned an outdoor egg hunt so every child could participate and their families could accompany them.”

Of the 100 people in attendance, Anjana said half were children and youth – from babies to 15 years of age. “I think going on an egg hunt was the highlight of the event,” she said. “Everyone enjoyed that!”

Currently, there is no cost to join the South Asian Network of Simcoe, and everyone is welcome to join, regardless of background or beliefs.

“We do not hold official meetings but we get together as needed in order to plan for events,” said Anjana. “We are a growing network of South Asian families in Simcoe County with an interest in creating social connections amongst ourselves and with the broader community. South Asia represents many nationalities, cultures, faiths, and ethnicities. Our group is diverse and represents the rich histories, experiences, and values of all South Asians. Our goal is to foster a safe and welcoming space where cultural pluralism and multiculturalism can thrive.”

As for the remainder of 2022, the group is planning a Kite Festival, and plans to take part in the Alliston Potato Festival as well.

“There might even be an Eid celebration in May if all goes well,” said Anjana.

For more information about the South Asian Network of Simcoe, search them on Facebook.

By Wendy Gabrek

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