Easter Eggs-travaganza hits Devonshire Mall

 

Young Ninjas battling cancer met the Easter bunny and demonstrated their skills at a special event in Devonshire Mall.

Many family, friends and children went to the Easter Eggs-travaganza Saturday morning to have some Easter fun. It featured entertainment, face painting and pictures with the Easter bunny.

Ron Bocchini, a grandfather of eight, said he came to the mall to spend time with his grandchildren.

“I haven’t seen them all week so I thought it would be a great opportunity to bring my grandchildren and be with them for the weekend and it looks like they’re having a great time,” said Bocchini.

Other than the face painting, Bocchini said he and his family also enjoyed the Kids Beating Cancer Honourable Ninjas entertainment.

Melissa Muscedere, a volunteer coordinator with the Kids Beating Cancer Honourable Ninjas program, said many of the children in the program are battling cancer or have other chronic illnesses but it also allows their siblings to be part of the program.

The Honourable Ninjas is a program for children battling cancer who are taught therapeutic martial arts. They took the stage Saturday and demonstrated what they are learning in class.

Muscedere said she believes it was a great opportunity to perform in front of a crowd. The outcome of the program can show people what the children have been learning.

“A lot of the kids that started with the program wouldn’t separate with their parents, but now they’re starting to gain trust in us, work with us and allow us to teach them and they’re kind of coming out of their shell and learning more,” Muscedere said. “The program is great it teaches them self-esteem, team building skills and they’re making friendships at the same time.”

Weekly classes are held Monday nights in the auditorium at Windsor Regional Hospital.