'Bunnies for Babies' fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House
Norman Love sponsors this event annually
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

COURTESY PHOTO Easter holiday basket

Just like Santa Claus and Cupid before him, the Easter Bunny plans to tickle the taste buds of discriminating chocolate devotees this year with a delectable assortment of artistically crafted chocolate eggs and bunnies by Norman Love Confections.

With the renowned chocolatier's help, he'll be stocking up intensely flavored Easter treats just in time for the spring holiday. Discriminating mortals can also fill their baskets with Love-inspired bunnies and bonbons and help families of seriously ill children at the same time.

Available for purchase through March 22, this year's fanciful collection of eggs will fill a chocolate lover's holiday basket with festive color and pure, natural flavors. The 2008 Easter holiday collection includes: Peanut Butter, made from Georgia peanuts and rich Swiss milk chocolate; Tahitian Caramel, a milk chocolate egg filled with buttery caramel; Bitter Venezuelan, goldflecked eggs that deliver an intense burst of dark chocolate; Cookies 'N' Cream, a classic combination in a chocolate-speckled egg; Raspberry, a heavenly combination of tart raspberries and smooth dark chocolate; Strawberry or White Raspberry, ripe berries encased in luscious white chocolate; and Key Lime, with the fresh taste of Florida sunshine in every bite.

COURTESY PHOTO 15-piece Easter egg gift box

The 2008 Easter holiday collection 15-piece Easter egg gift box is available for $36.50. Hot off the bunny trail for 2008 is the Norman Love Easter pail filled with a solid milk chocolate bunny, a four-piece box of chocolates, a specially designed milk chocolate Easter egg, and a decadent white chocolate egg, all for $22.50. Custom boxes from 4- to 36-pieces are available in Norman Love Confections' Chocolate Salon.

Bunnies for babies

For the third year, the Norman Love Confections chocolatiers are creating extra special eggs and bunnies as a benefit for sick children and their families.

For a $5 donation, purchase a chance to win a spectacular Easter creation. The mega-sized bunnies and chocolate creations were designed and produced by the artisans at Norman Love Confections. Entries will be accepted at both the Fort Myers and Naples retail locations, as well as BluSushi at Gulf Coast Town Center, until the drawing, which takes place at 10 a.m., Friday, March 21. Ticket holders need not be present to win.

All money raised for Bunnies for Babies will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for families who have seriously ill children receiving medical treatment in the five-county area.

"We love making chocolates that look beautiful and taste terrific," says Love. "But there's extra satisfaction in knowing that through our efforts and the support of our customers, families of children with serious medical problems get much-needed help as well."

Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes ultra-premium, handcrafted artisanal chocolates. Based in Fort Myers, the corporate headquarters encompasses both production and retail operations. For more information or to place an order, call 239-561-7215 or toll free (866) 515-2121, or visit www.normanloveconfections.com online.