Coogi Doogi seeking donations for egg hunt in Chattanooga's Westside neighborhood

Contributed Photo / The annual Easter egg hunt hosted by William “Coogi Doogi” Jones Odom and Jamar Torome “Bro Bro” Jones drew more than 100 children in 2022, and they hope to the 2023 edition, set for April 9, will be even larger.
Contributed Photo / The annual Easter egg hunt hosted by William “Coogi Doogi” Jones Odom and Jamar Torome “Bro Bro” Jones drew more than 100 children in 2022, and they hope to the 2023 edition, set for April 9, will be even larger.

For the past 10 years, William "Coogi Doogi" Jones Odom and his older brother, Jamar Torome "Bro Bro" Jones, have held an Easter egg hunt in their former Westside neighborhood. This year, the brothers are looking for sponsors and donations to make it the best edition of the event yet for local children.

The 10th annual Easter egg hunt will be at 3 p.m. April 9 at the Westside baseball field at 1195 Grove St.

The 2022 event drew more than 100 children enjoying sack races, a small petting zoo, pictures with the Peep bunny, egg hunt, food, games and more. Odom is hoping to have more children participate this year.

"I hope this year we can make it bigger," Odom said in an interview.

For Odom and Jones, the event brings them back to their roots and into the neighborhood where their 93 year-old grandmother, Mary M. Jones, and other family and friends still live.

Odom said his grandmother was always willing to give to anyone in need, and that giving spirit is the backbone of the egg hunt.

"That is the kind of family I came from," he said.

Odom said he and Jones paid for the inaugural egg hunt with their own money, just to have an event for the children.

"I had nothing in my pocket, but I still had to do it to make the kids smile," he said.

While the event may have started small, Odom said the children love it. He said he likes giving the young people something to look forward to.

Jones said the event has grown larger than he expected, and he is approached by children and adults who have attended every year.

"Oh my gosh, I see people in the store, and they thank us," he said in a phone interview.

Jones said the ballfield where the event is held holds a lot of childhood memories.

"I used to be in that field when I was younger, and I remember how much fun I had there," he said.

Jones, who had seen a need for such an event years prior, said he always made sure Westside children had chalk to draw on sidewalks and always brought candy as well. He said he knew there was more that needed to be done for the young people, and he and Odom started on a small scale that has grown.

"We do it together, and we try to upgrade every year," Jones said, adding that this year they will have a microphone and speaker, rather than having to yell across the field.

Each since the inaugural event, they have received donations to help, Odom said.

This year, Odom is hopeful to have more eggs to hide, with both cash and candy, and more for children and families to do, all possible with donations from the community.

Odom is also seeking volunteers. His goal is to make sure no child leaves empty-handed.

"We want to make sure everybody gets something," Odom said.

To donate, email coogidoogi@gmail.com.

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