For the families who turned out for our first-ever
Wrangler News Easter Egg Hunt, the message
was clear: When the local newspaper gets behind
what’s going on in the neighborhood, people
respond.
There’s nothing new about this theory, but it’s
nonetheless reassuring to know that community
newspapers are still a big part of our lives, even
with the comings and goings of all manner of
social and online media.
This message about the power of local coverage
is one we deliver every day, stressing our belief
in news that’s strictly about you and your
neighbors. It’s a belief we’ve held for 25 years,
and it’s a message that continues to be reaffirmed
by the reaction we get nearly everywhere we go.
Our Easter Egg Hunt at Tempe’s Estrada Park
provided an opportunity for us to meet and
greet some of the nearly 20,000 families who
look forward to receiving Wrangler News in
their driveway twice every month. It was an
event that offered a chance for local businesses
to shake those same hands, to reinforce their
own business-to-people relationships—to remind
all of us that they’re ready and eager to be an
involved, committed part of their community.
In this case—and please note this was the first
in a series of events we have planned for the
future—some of the businesses we invited to
join us as co-sponsors not only signed on but
showed up at our event with a real display of
excitement and eagerness. Because we got a late
start (something that won’t happen next year),
we frankly ran out of time and space for many
who wanted to help support this community
family event.
At this point we would be remiss in not
mentioning Dave Roche, the Tempe Edward
Jones agent who helped inspire us as we
laid plans and who (spoiler alert for the little
ones) agreed to fill the furry shoes of a mostly
convincing Easter Bunny.
Our bunny-ettes, Wrangler News Publisher
Tracy Doren and Writer/Sales Exec Chelsea
Martin, displayed their own brand of inspiration,
minus the furry feet.
Others who participated as sponsors were Kris
Cartwright of UBG Realty; Weon Keyong Health
Center; Great Harvest Bread Co.; Tempe YMCA;
People’s Mortgage (Alicia Romo); Kyrene School
District Community Education; Wells Fargo Bank
(Nicole Harned); University Animal Hospital;
Pieces of 8 Boutique; and Babbo Italian Eatery.
The photos accompanying this article, as well
as our cover shot, capture the excitement
brought to the event by everyone involved,
and we’re proud and happy that the concept
of neighborhood news is still a strong, positive
reason to believe that community newspapers
continue to play a vital role in bringing lives
together.
We’ll see you next year—and watch for more
Wrangler-sponsored events in the coming
months.
Photos by Billy Hardiman
