Egg your neighbors on: Wantagh girls’ lacrosse organizes Easter fundraiser

’Twas the night before Easter, and all throughout Wantagh, lacrosse players were stirring, long after the snow had thawed. Members of the Wantagh High School’s girls’ lacrosse team are eager to egg houses this spring — without any of the eggy mess.

The team recently announced its Easter-themed fundraiser, “Egg My House.” Next month, individuals who donate to the team will wake up on Easter Sunday with plastic, candy-filled eggs scattered and hidden across their front lawns.

Between the hours of 9 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, April 16, the teammates will peregrinate across Wantagh and will assist the Easter Bunny in hiding colorful eggs with treats inside. 

“When these kids wake up, they’ll have this magical egg wonderland,” head coach Robyn Rooney said. “Parents don’t have to stress about anything, and they’re donating to our incredible team. It’s a win-win for parents.”

The fundraiser was inspired by Northport High School, which supposedly hosted a similar Easter fundraiser in the past. “It was a no-brainer,” Rooney, of Long Beach, said. “It’s such a great way for the girls to have their time as a team to do something together.”

Funds raised will pay for photographers and videographers at games and future team events  — some of which Rooney has previously paid for herself. Not to mention, media exposure will help to advance the players’ professional experience, Rooney said. “These girls can make a name for themselves in lacrosse. So, to be able to give these girls professional photos and video of them on the field, and put their names out there,” she said, “will only help elevate their names and improve the future of woman’s lacrosse at Wantagh.” 

Rooney, a former lacrosse athlete, will this spring lead the Wantagh team for the fourth year. Teams have yet to be determined. There’s currently about 45 girls in Varsity and Junior Varsity. 

Since Easter falls in the middle of the season this year, the athletes will take a Saturday after practice before the holiday to stuff the eggs with candy. Girls from Varsity and JV will be involved, though the four seniors will take the reins.

Senior Olivia Brodarick, 18, said she’s looking forward to driving her teammates across the community to hide Easter eggs. “I think the concept is very creative,” Brodarick said, who’s held a crosse since third grade. “Some families are struggling, whether it be financially or otherwise, and they need a little bit of inspiration, something positive to wake up to. Knowing that our team can come together to make someone smile – it warms my heart.”

Wantagh parent Chris Taylor said the fundraiser will give the girls an opportunity to give back to the community. Chris and wife Georgettte, parents of senior captain Madison Taylor, are working hard behind the scenes to make sure the event runs smoothly. Chris has gathered plastic eggs and created a spreadsheet to take orders. “We really want to get everyone involved,” he said. “Things only work when everyone is involved.” 

Chris said he’s proud of his daughter, who has also played with the district’s Varsity soccer and basketball teams. Next year, he said, Madison will head to Northwestern University to play lacrosse on their Division I team.

Madison’s sheer talent is exemplary of how the lacrosse program prepares Wantagh students for collegiate sports. Last year, Chris said, about 11 seniors on the team went on the play lacrosse in college. The Easter affair serves as much more than a fundraiser – it will promote the team as a whole.

“I may be a little biased, but I think it’s a pretty factual statement that the girls lacrosse program is sending kids off to play college lacrosse as much as any other program in this community,” he said. “So, we want to get that word out and tell youth girls in the community, like, ‘Stay involved – good things can happen.’”

Fellow senior Erin Whitaker, who is also headed to a Division I program at Winthrop University, said the fundraiser will help to merge the Wantagh community and the team. “The more we do for them, the more they will be willing to come support our games,” Whitaker said.

Although a flyer was released to social media and the school community only a few weeks back, the response has already been substantial. The team quickly toppled the goal of selling 1,000 eggs. It has had requests for orders in nearby Seaford, Levittown, Massapequa and Plainedge as well. One person even placed an order for 600 eggs. 

“The beautiful thing about Wantagh is that they step up for their kids,” Rooney said. “They always have. Parents in the program and outside of the program are constantly trying to help our program grow. It’s really exciting to see the support we get on and off the field.” 

Orders are priced by eggs. Approximately 30 eggs will cost $30, while 60 eggs will cost $50. Orders can be placed by contacting Taylorc4@optonline.net. Kids with peanut allergies? Not to worry: the team will make accommodations, just make note on the order sheet. Orders must be placed before April 3.