They are among the first signs of spring. This week they will start making their annual appearance on the counters of many banks, retail shops, and restaurants in the Crown Point area. But, they represent so much more than a delicious seasonal treat. Proceeds from the sale of these items will help provide college scholarships for many local students. They are the Tri Kappa chocolate Easter eggs.
Founded in 1922, the Crown Point Tri Kappas have been making chocolate eggs for the past 26 years. Flavors that customers may choose from include caramel, coconut cream, crunch, mint cream, vanilla cream and peanut butter. A new flavor for this year is amaretto.
Peanut butter is their best seller but it is also the most difficult to make.
“We make the peanut butter filling by hand and it is very messy to work with. It sticks to everything,” says Diane O’Brien, one of this year’s egg co-chairpersons.
In the span of three days, the Tri Kappas will produce five thousand eggs. Taking on this task are seventy of their members and another fifty volunteers from the community. High school students will also help and receive credit for community service hours.
The first day, the fillings are prepared. The peanut butter and vanilla creams are mixed and each of the fillings is shaped and placed onto a tray. During the next two days, the outer chocolate shells are prepared. The fillings are placed into a mold and the chocolate is poured around them. The finished eggs will then be decorated and boxed.
Over the years the Tri Kappas have learned through trial and error what works.
“We used to place the eggs on green plastic grass inside clear containers. The grass was messy and would go everywhere. The eggs themselves would also flip over inside the containers,” explains O’Brien. “The boxes we use today keep the eggs secure and they cannot move around. This is also our first year with custom printed boxes.”
Besides selling eggs, the Tri Kappas keep busy with other fundraisers as well. One of their most popular is a tour of the kitchens of Crown Point homes. The Tri Kappa have also worked the gates collecting admissions to the Lake County Fair for the past sixty-nine years.
In addition to the scholarship money raised by the egg sales, the Tri Kappas donate funds to many local causes.
“We donated $10,000 from the first Kitchen Tour to the Crown Point Community Library. We gave another $10,000 from the second Kitchen Tour to the Lake Courthouse Foundation,” says O’Brien. “In addition, we have helped families in crises. We collect coats, hats, mittens and scarves for needy children. We assemble backpacks with school supplies each August. We make cookies for public service employees, make blankets for dialysis patients and donate baby items to the St. Clare's prenatal assistance program. We also collect pop tabs for The Ronald McDonald House and plastic caps for benches at local elementary schools.”
Jen Ryman is a fourth generation Tri Kappa. “I am involved in Tri Kappa because it's a way to give back to my community. I've met so many amazing women who are genuine of heart and want to truly make a difference.”
Fellow Tri Kappa member Lauren Branigin echoes Ryman’s sentiment.
“I get to participate in events that benefit Crown Point while creating relationships and friendships with women of all ages, occupations and backgrounds. What I didn't really understand about Tri Kappa until I joined is that these women are a support system that celebrate your successes with you and are also there for you whole heartedly for the toughest times as well.”
Of the five thousand eggs produced, members will have pre-sold nearly two thousand eggs even before they are carried by participating retailers. Over twenty-five retailers in the Crown Point area will carry the eggs. The sale lasts until the eggs are sold out or until Easter, whichever comes first. For a list of participating retailers, please visit www.facebook.com/TriKappaEggs.