The anticipation was palpable as children gathered at the cusp of the lawn at Aldea Center at Mount Sutro on April 16, bracing for UC San Francisco Housing Services’ annual Spring Egg Hunt.
“Are you ready?” Housing Events Specialist Christopher Chan called out, “Ready, set, go!”
At his go, the children tore through the field, climbed rocks, and searched at the foot of trees. Squeals of delight came from every direction as children uncovered eggs and gleefully poured them into their personalized pastel bags.
The highlight of the afternoon was a special visit by the Spring Bunny, enthusiastically played by Housing Customer Service Assistant, Henry Holmes, who frolicked with the children, took photos, and gave out treats.
After the hunt, parents and children gathered to enjoy food, raffle prizes, and arts and crafts.
A child and parent search for eggs together at Aldea Center.
Khushboo Gupta, a UCSF dental resident in the oral medicine department, participated in the egg hunt for the second time and enjoyed the opportunity for parents and children to deepen a sense of community where they live.
“It’s an amazing event when so many different families can come together and bond, and the children can make memories for a lifetime. This is a really good practice that UCSF Housing is doing. I believe that they should continue all these events that help to create a very healthy environment, so the kids and families can spend more time together,” Gupta said.
Gupta also appreciated that UCSF Housing has hosted celebrations for a diverse variety of festivals and cultural events.
“I feel that Housing is putting in a lot of effort to bring out all the events based on the cultures, even Diwali or Holi, which are Indian festivals, or Ramadan. They are trying to bring all the cultural diversity together, and it’s amazing,” Gupta said.
UCSF Housing Associate Director of Projects and Programs, Colette Ono-Ko, was delighted to see the enthusiasm of attendees.
“We really love to see all of the families chatting and getting to know one another. The hope is that their children develop close friendships with their neighbors,” Ono-Ko said.
Housing Associate Director of Projects and Programs Colette Ono-Ko presented raffle prizes to guests.
Associate Specialist in Anatomy Jeremy Shea, PhD, attended the event with his five-year-old daughter, Violet, who won one of the coveted raffle prizes: a Squishmallow blanket.
“I love the blanket, I love Squishmallows!” Violet exclaimed.
According to Shea, this is the first time Violet has won something in a raffle, and she couldn’t be more thrilled.
"She gets very excited about these events. This is the third or fourth time [attending the Spring Egg Hunt], and she looks forward to it so much for weeks leading up to it,” Shea said.
For parents and children alike, the Spring Egg Hunt was a wonderful way to celebrate the start of the Spring season amidst the natural beauty of the Aldea Center.