More than 1,000 southwestern Connecticut children received free Easter baskets Saturday from a local nonprofit organization.

Al?s Angels, an organization founded by Al Diguido, assembled the Easter baskets and then delivered them to children at three local churches. Diguido says he was so excited after putting the baskets together that he couldn?t wait to deliver them. He made the children promise to save the candy for next Sunday.

Al?s Angels is a nonprofit dedicated to providing ill or impoverished children with joy and comfort, especially during the holidays. Diguido says there were more requests for the free baskets this year than last.