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The Mountain View Senior Center held its first Golden Hunt Wednesday morning, with dozens of participants jockeying to find plastic eggs filled with candies, jokes and raffle tickets for prizes that they could take home ahead of the Easter holiday.
Designed for people ages 55 years and up, the event featured a light breakfast where people lingered over coffee and donut holes before the hunt kicked off with hundreds of eggs hidden around the center’s courtyard. There also was a costumed Easter bunny who did not cause anyone to burst into tears when their photo was taken.
“We’re trying new things,” said Alejandra Hernandez, senior recreation coordinator. “We’re looking for ways to help integrate more people into our community.”
Mei Chuand, a Palo Alto resident, said she usually comes to the center to play Mahjong.
“I come to have fun and become younger,” she laughed, before lining up to collect a bag for the egg hunt.
The actual hunt lasted about six minutes. A family of three that included a nearly 9-year old grandson took home the grand prize, a massive Golden Egg. They had collected the most eggs, 36 in all.
“I feel very good because my granddad found a lot of eggs,” Ronak Karmani said. “He’s tall.”
Noha Alja, a building attendant who has been working at the center for two years, said that the event was a fun occasion to bring people together and foster community.
“It gives people something to look forward to,” she said.
Carmen Luz, a 65-year-old Mountain View resident who often volunteers at the center, brought her 90-year old mother to the egg hunt.
“We’re here to have fun, Luz said, adding that her mom woke up earlier than usual to participate.
Hernandez said that staff likely would hold the event later in the day next year to attract more people. By 10 a.m. the community hall was cleared out to make way for the senior nutrition program, which offers hot lunches on weekdays.
In total, the Golden Hunt event cost less than $400 to run, according to Kristine Crosby, assistant community services director.
