Although the COVID-19 Pandemic is still active, there will be a free children’s Easter event this weekend in Warwick.

That’s because Lori Amoroso, the Tri-City Elks resident Bunny has for the second time in four months stepped up and volunteered to coordinate a unique drive-up event that will be similar to Lodge 14’s highly-successful pre-Christmas event held Dec. 12-13 starring Santa Claus.

As a promotional poster Amoroso designed reads: “The Easter Bunny is coming to the Tri-City Elks (this) Saturday and Sunday (March 27-28) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.”

“We will welcome people to come and take pictures with the Easter Bunny,” said Amoroso, who in years past has played the fun-loving bunny at Lodge 14’s widely-attended and annual Easter Egg Hunt that formerly featured a myriad of giveaways such as free candy and games for children. “Everyone will have a choice; they can either drive up and see the Easter Bunny or park the car in the lot and walk up to the tent to see our bunny.”

Amoroso then noted how Tri-City’s 2020 Easter Egg Hunt was cancelled as the COVID-19 Crisis was in high gear and announced “as we all know the Pandemic is still with us so everyone will still be required to wear a mask and we will be socially distancing as well.”

She also emphasized there is no fee for this weekend’s Easter Bunny Drive-Up and absolutely no limitation of who can attend.

After which Amoroso – who like her husband Joe Amoroso is one of Lodge’s 14’s valuable volunteers – announced that she’s stepping aside and that this weekend’s Drive-Up to see the Easter Bunny will have new headliner.

“I’m looking forward to play the hostess,” Amoroso mused with a smile on her face. “I’m looking forward to welcoming people to our great lodge. All the members of our Bunny Club are really looking forward to having some good old-fashioned fun both days and our new bunny is happy about her debut.”

Soon thereafter, Amoroso announced that Joanne Wilkins – another proud member of the Tri-City Elks – will don the bunny costume and is excited about making her debut as Lodge 14’s bunny as well as greeting all the families and their children.”

As was the case for the two-day Drive-By to see Santa, this weekend’s well-planned Easter event will include members of Tri-City’s Bunny Club stuffing Easter Eggs and wrapping candy that will be offered to each and every child that attends.

Also, Joanne the Easter Bunny will be located inside a decorated tent – a.k.a. canopy covering – featuring a clear plastic shield similar to the one that housed Santa Claus and as Amoroso offered for those people not familiar with the state’s largest and most active BPOE lodge is located at 1915 West Shore Road in Warwick.

Wilkins will have plenty of dedicated support Saturday and Sunday, as a host of Elks have volunteered to make the event another special success while upholding Lodge 14’s credo Elks Care, Share.

There will also be another heart-warming side to the two-day drive-up because Leah Eaton, an eighth-grade honor student at Warwick Veterans Memorial Middle School, remembered her younger years at Easter and thus asked if she could volunteer as a means of community service to help make the event special for children just as older folks like her grandparents did for her not that long ago.

EARMARK EVENT: Among those Tri-City Elks who be on hand for this weekend’s Easter Bunny Drive-Up in Warwick, are from left: Maryjane Larned, Laura Gagnon, Lori Amoroso, Julie Brunelle, Beth Marsh, Sue Nelson, Cheryl Rebello, Sue Clift, Leah Eaton, Joanne (The Easter Bunny) Wilkins, Faith Hanson, Joan McGrady, Kathy Cesaro, Dawn Kidd and Ken McGrady. (Warwick Beacon photo by Pete Fontaine)