CICERO — It has been one year since the novel coronavirus pandemic descended on the nation, shuttering schools and businesses, postponing events and leaving most people cooped up in their homes for much of the year. With vaccination efforts well underway and warmer weather in sight, the volunteers of Griffin’s Guardians are egg-cited to get back to normal.
The Cicero nonprofit, which supports local families who are affected by pediatric cancer and raises money for research, has sold 10,000 candy-filled eggs as part of its “Egg a Yard” campaign. Over the next couple of weeks, Griffin’s Guardians volunteers will scatter the eggs in the yards of 500 homes in Onondaga County, along with signs reading “You’ve been egged by Griffin’s Guardians” to spread the word of the organization’s mission.
Griffin’s Guardians was founded in 2014 by the family of Griffin Engle, who died at age 7 from a rare form of brain cancer.
Erin Engle, Griffin’s mother, said GG volunteer Katie DeAnthony suggested the Egg a Yard fundraiser after seeing a friend participate in a similar event in another state. Byrne Dairy agreed to sponsor the event.
Community members purchased candy eggs in multiples of 20 to be delivered to their friends, family members and neighbors in Onondaga County. The eggs sold out in just five days.
“Our goal was to sell 1,000 eggs, which would be 50 houses in Onondaga County. We sold the thousand eggs in like 32 minutes,” Engle said. “Then we just decided to go big or go home and go for 10,000 [eggs].”
The Cicero-North Syracuse High School girls varsity basketball and soccer teams helped stuff the eggs with candy at the GG headquarters last week. The basketball players filled 4,400 eggs.
“Griffin has brought so many people together and this fundraiser was just another example. We have over 50 volunteers helping with this fundraiser,” Engle said.
DeAnthony mapped out the delivery routes. Volunteers will deliver the eggs to their destinations — and leave notes telling families who “egged” them — in the 13 nights between March 19 and 31.
“Thirteen was Griffin’s favorite number. It’s a little Griff wink,” Engle said.
Last fall, Griffin’s Guardians was forced to cancel its major fundraiser, the Gold Tie Gala, so Egg a Yard is a socially distanced stepping stone back into in-person events.
“We haven’t been able to do much because of the pandemic, but this is a fun way we can still engage the community,” Engle said.
Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, GG was able to give $100,000 back to local families dealing with pediatric cancer in 2020.
“Last year our supporters blew my mind with the donations,” Engle said.
Looking ahead, the next fundraiser for Griffin’s Guardians is the 6th Annual Penalty Kick Soccer Shoot-Out, which takes place June 4 at Clay Park Central. Teams of five will face off in this festival-style event. Registration for the event will open in mid-April. Visit griffinsguardians.org to learn more.
