A basket with colorful eggs placed upon Easter grass, candy and a trinket or two can make a child’s eyes sparkle with delight.

While watching their own daughter’s “happiness she felt on opening her Easter basket,” Jennifer Barber-Ruchti and her husband Mike thought about those children who might not have this pleasant experience.

The couple took some baskets to a homeless shelter that year. “Some of the parents have never themselves received an Easter basket, let alone been able to give one to their own child,” she said they learned from the workers.

“It is an extra, but sometimes the ‘extras’ are so important to an individual’s spirit,” Barber-Ruchti added. They wished they could do even more, so she went to the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, “where one of their goals is to connect people with opportunities to serve,” she said.

“Jen presented her dream and we ran with it,” said Deb Panozzo, the center’s adult and family coordinator. Since then, the couple has had a son, Donevin, and the family has “owned the Easter Basket Project,” she added, with Barber-Ruchti being the volunteer coordinator.

The numbers rose from 30 to 300 children receiving a basket. This will be the third year the children in Berrien County who are in foster care, the juvenile center and shelters serving the homeless and victims of domestic violence will find their Easter a little brighter.

The students of Saint Joseph High School Key Club, under the direction of Lauri Berry, will again assemble the baskets with donated items and label them according to age and whether they were for a girl or boy.

“The biggest need is for trinkets, wrapped candy and small toys,” Panozzo said. The baskets will go to all ages from babies to age 17, with teenagers being the hardest to find appropriate items to go into the baskets.

Items being collected along with monetary gifts, baskets, wrapped candy and Easter grass could include: lip gloss, hair brush and decorations, breakfast bars, stickers, pens, nail polish, socks and decks of cards.

Donations are being accepted through March 23 at both of the Volunteer Center locations in Niles and St. Joseph and also at the Hampton Inn at 5050 Red Arrow Highway in Stevensville.

“I realize that this is a tough economy and I’ve learned that there are many voices that need help. But if you are able to give and this project means something to you, we ask that you help us to make it a success again this year,” Barber-Ruchti said. “We want lots of smiling faces Easter morning.”

Distribution will be made by the Department of Human Services. For more information go to www.volunteerswmi.org. The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan is a United Way partner agency.