MISSOULA –
The University of Montana received a sweet surprise recently when The Sweets Barn owner Kirk Martin offered to supply 30,000 pieces of candy for UM’s upcoming Easter Eggstravaganza egg hunt.
The 30,000 pieces of candy, along with 20,000 plastic eggs stuffed with prizes and certificates will cover four acres of Oval lawn on Saturday, March 30. The hunt will kick off at 1 p.m. and children up to age 9 are invited to grab their Easter baskets and join the fun.
“This is the 13th year the University has provided this free event for area children,” said Andrea Lewis, UM event coordinator. “We were surprised and thrilled to receive such a generous donation. It will allow us to continue providing a truly memorable and special experience for the kids at time when we face budget constraints.”
According to the small-business owners Dave and Bonnie Aicher, Martin and his wife Gail, it’s an important part of their business model to give back to the community.
“We give kudos to UM for their outstanding community support and we are excited to support UM during the 2013 Easter Extravaganza,” Martin said. “This is a fun, exciting and ‘sweet’ event for Missoula families and we look forward to supporting this event in the future.”
Candy will include everything from classic root beer barrels to honeycomb peanuts. For the infant to 3-year-old participants, The Sweets Barn will supply Saf-T-y pops and gummy carrots.
The Sweets Barn opened in August 2011 on the east side of U.S. Highway 93 in Lolo. The old-time-inspired candy shop offers its patrons many nostalgic items such as penny candy, and they also offer homemade cinnamon rolls, decadent fudge – also made onsite – and espresso.
The Sweets Barn is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information about this donation call Martin at 406-544-6113 or email thesweetsbarn@optimum.net.
###
ALL
Western Montana
030513barn
Contact: Andrea Lewis, event coordinator, University Relations, 406-243-5478, andrea.lewis@umontana.edu.