Perry hosts inclusive Easter egg hunt event

Children of all ages and abilities had the opportunity to participate in a special needs community egg hunt this past Saturday, some for the very first time.

One of the most anticipated activities for the Easter holiday for many children is the egg hunt. Eggs are stuffed with treats and prizes and hidden in various locations, depending on level of difficulty. Unfortunately, such a tradition is unable to be enjoyed by many with special needs—that is, until the city of Perry addressed the issue and took action two years ago. 

The Special Events Department started up the first event in 2019. Due to the circumstances of the pandemic last year, the egg hunt was canceled, so there was much anticipation as the Leisure Services Department headed up the event this year. The annual special needs community egg hunt hosts a variety of courses, referred to as zones, and sensory activities to accommodate every child’s needs. Different courses on Saturday’s event included exceptional, traditional, and vision-impaired hunting zones. Families were encouraged to participate with all of their children in each respective zone.

Various organizations such as State Farm, Warner Robins Civitan Club, Perry Police Department, Perry Fire & Emergency Services, Freedom Concepts, Perry Chiropractic, Kripaliben Patel, Wellspring Wellness Center and Premier Staffing Unlimited sponsored the event and some even were present to provide a resource to families looking for support.

One of the vendors present at the event provided adaptive bikes for children to ride. Sedrick Swan, Director of Leisure Services, expressed his excitement for those children and their new opportunity. “We’re trying to form our city into [being] more walkable and a bike community, so many of the kids had the opportunity to fill out some paperwork and through insurance, they got approved for a few of the bikes. So they’re going to be outfitted to get that opportunity to ride [when] they normally wouldn’t get that opportunity. One of the most heartwarming and touching parts of the event that some of the kids left with the understanding that they will have their own bike that will work to their specific needs.”

With the inclusive hunting zones, photo opportunities, sensory activities, family support resources and a breakfast food truck, the city considered the event to be a huge success. Tabitha Clark, communications administrator for Perry, and Special Events Manager Anya Turpin attended and volunteered at the event. At the Perry work session on Monday evening, Clark commented that it wasn’t only Perry citizens who enjoyed the event. “Ms. Turpin said that she did hear at least one family from Valdosta traveled to the event. We heard nothing but great comments about the event as well as praise for the city for hosting it. Leisure Services did a great job putting it together.”

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