KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Valley Volunteers Save Easter

Valley Volunteers Save Easter

By Norma Yuriar and Winston Whitehurst

Fresno, Calif. (KMPH News) - Easter Sunday came early for neighborhood kids in south-central Fresno.

"It's fun! We are playing games and stuff," said 9-year old Isaac Ybarra.

But a day of potato sack racing and Easter fun almost didn't happen. The City of Fresno says volunteers saved the day, because without them, the City would have not been able to host an Easter Celebration at the Holmes Recreation Center.  Within the past few months, city officials say they were forced to cut more than $100,000 from its Parks and Recreation budget because of the economy.

More than 25 volunteers, mostly students, came forward Wednesday to help.

"It feels really good, because you're making a beautiful day for these kids to have fun and they deserve it," said volunteer, Alice Pa Yang.

The Easter Egg Hunt was the first community service event 14-year old Yang and 16-year old Kong Vang have ever been involved in.  The McLane High School students are enrolled in the city's Businesses Education Service Training (B.E.S.T) program, which also encourages teens to give back.

"It makes me feel great because I'm helping out someone and not just staying home," said Vang.

The B.E.S.T volunteers say they are just returning the favor.  When they were kids, volunteers did the same for them.

"They were also leaders to us," said B.E.S.T volunteer, Adiel Reyes.

Diana Ramirez, with the Hispanic Student Association at Fresno State, also had a similar experience.

"It does bring back a lot of memories, I see myself in these little kids," said Ramirez. "Nowadays, kids need good role models."

More than 300 kids took part in the Easter Egg Hunt.

"There was a little kid who kept saying this is fun let's do this again, that really made us feel good, said Reyes.

The city of Fresno says they could not have hosted an Easter celebration without volunteers.

"It feels great to volunteer, I'm not only helping myself, I'm helping the community," said B.E.S.T volunteer, Chee Yang.

The kids could not be more grateful.

"Thank you! For having it free and stuff, yeah!" said 9-year old Ybarra.

Wal-Mart also donated Easter baskets, toys, and other prizes to hand out to the kids.