BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LENORE, W.Va. — More than 100 children and their families turned out Saturday for the Lenore Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Easter egg hunt, an afternoon packed with prizes, food, family fun and a surprise honor for the department’s longtime chief.

According to Assistant Chief Skipper Farris, the event drew a large crowd of children eager to hunt eggs, win prizes and enjoy a free lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs. Families also spent time in the bounce house and enjoyed one of the fire department’s most popular community events.

“This year, we were very blessed to have a large number of great prizes donated for the egg hunt that included bicycles, ear pods, toys, games and much more,” Farris said. “The kids had a great time, and they were beyond pleased with the wonderful prizes up for grabs.”

Farris thanked the volunteers, businesses and community leaders who helped make the event a success.

“We appreciate each and every volunteer, as well as businesses and community leaders who helped to make it a success,” he said.

During the event, Farris, a veteran firefighter with more than four decades of service, received a special community appreciation “Hometown Hero” award from Michael and Tommie Pennington of the Modern Woodmen of America.

“We are here today to honor Lenore Fire Department Chief Jeffrey ‘Skip’ Farris for his four-plus decades of outstanding service and leadership in the Lenore community,” the presenters said.

The fire department’s next major community event will be its annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration, which typically draws another large crowd.

“We love giving back to the community that has always shown support for our department, and we extend a special invitation to all who can to join us in July,” Farris said. “It will be another great event that you don’t want to miss.”