The Centralia Community Youth Center (CCYC) will host the Easter-themed fundraiser “Breakfast with EB” for local families next month.

Held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the youth center, the event will feature a breakfast buffet, crafts, face-painting, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and much more.

Israel “Izzy” Fontanez, who serves on the CCYC’s board of directors, said the fundraiser will be a fun, inclusive, family-friendly event for the whole community.

“We’re going to try and make this a fun event. It’s an all-inclusive fundraiser,” said Fontanez, who will be portraying the magical holiday bunny. “I will be the Easter Bunny. I asked my family for an Easter Bunny costume Christmas and got it. So, I was prepared for this already. I will be taking pictures with the kids and acting a fool as much as I can.”

Fontanez said the event will help raise funds for furnishings and amenities at the center’s new building, as well as needed repairs at its longtime location.

“We’re in the middle of a grant [to construct and furnish the new youth center building behind its 1224 E. Rexford location] and when we run out of money, we’ll have to come up with the rest of it. I am trying to raise funds for that,” Fontanez explained. “We also have a hole in the roof of the old building. So, we are trying to raise funds to get out of the hole [on the new building] and fix the hole in the old building.”

Fontanez said the CCYC is looking to partner with individuals and organizations within the community interested in making “Breakfast with EB” a success on all fronts.

“We are looking for ten-to-twelve table sponsors right now,” Fontanez continued. “We’re also looking for any kind of partner or sponsor that can help us with the event.”

Fontanez thanked the City of Centralia for the $55,000 it provides the youth center each year to pay staff and keep operations running, but explained, “The rest of what it takes to keep the place running, [and provide] projects, toys, field trips, [and] food; is only possible through donations and fundraising.”

According to Fontanez, the March 9 event could be the first of many, as he said he hopes to see more fundraisers and community events at the CCYC.

“Keep your eyes out for any future fundraisers that we might be doing at the youth center. The way I see it, the youth center is the future and I’m trying to make it big,” said Fontanez. “We are trying to do what we can to make it grow and serve even more youth of Centralia.”

Those interested in contributing to “Breakfast with EB” may contact Fontanez by phone at 618-204-3050, or by email at i_fontanez@yahoo.com.

Centralia Community Youth Center

1224 East Rexford Street, Centralia, Illinios

618-532-6530