Frankfort, IL: Lincolnway Special Recreaton Foundation held its annual Bunny Breakfast fundraiser Saturday, April 7th at Lincoln - Way East High School. All proceeds from the event will go towards the construction of a special recreation facility for individuals with special needs in New Lenox at Heather Glen Park.

The event started at 8:00 am and ran until 11:00 am and saw over 215 people come out for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. The Easter Bunny was also in attendance all morning for pictures with the children. Other activities included 6 different easter egg hunts for varying age groups. All easter egg hunts used a total of 2000 eggs and ended with a hula hoop contest put on by Wallace Entertainment. Candy was donated by Walgreens, Target New Lenox, Target Orland Park, Target Tinley Park, and Frankfort Jewel - Osco. The Frankfort Girl Scout Troop #472 also lent a hand making crafts and festive decorations with the visitors.

“We are excited to see such a great turnout,” stated Lana Graser, Executive Director of Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, “Everyone had a wonderful time thanks to all the volunteers, staff, and foundation members making it such a success.”

31 energetic volunteers cooked pancakes and sausages, served food and juice, set up the Easter egg hunts, and helped with the Easter Bunny photo opportunities. The fundraiser profited $2342.26 for the special recreation facility slated to begin construction later this year.

The special recreation facility will be 24,000 sq. ft. and contain a gymnasium, learning kitchen, 4 classrooms, therapeutic garden, stage, gathering center, basketball court, and wheelchair softball field. It will serve all individuals with special needs in the areas of Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Manhattan, Peotone, and surrounding communities, and will be one of the first of its kind in Illinois. The $4.3 million project was made possible by a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that was signed by Governor Pat Quinn in October of last year. The grant was accepted by the New Lenox Community Park District on
LWSRA’s behalf.

LWSRA is currently planning a Walk-n-Roll-a-thon run in conjunction with Manhattan Park District and Homestar Bank and Financial Services April 29th. LWSRA’s wheelchair basketball team The Rolling Falcons is also challenging the Mokena Fire Department to a game of wheelchair basketball on April 17th at Lincoln - Way East High School and another game against the New Lenox Fire Department on April 27th at Lincoln - Way Central High School. Information for all events can be found at lwsra.org or by calling (815) 464 - 2811.