LIFE Center Easter Egg Hunt brings out record crowd
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St Francois County Ambulance District paramedics Emily Sheemer and Arial Gray gave LIFE Center Easter Egg Hunt participants a tour of the ambulance and explained the equipment they use as a way to help the children and adults with special needs feel more comfortable should they ever find themselves in an emergency situation. Craig Vaughn
CRAIG VAUGHN, Contributing Writer
With the help of the Easter Bunny, a therapy horse, and a rabbit named Foo Foo, the LIFE Center for Independent Living held its annual Easter Egg Hunt for children and adults with disabilities on Saturday in the St. Paul Lutheran School gymnasium. The event drew its largest crowd since its inception in 2016.
With the theme “Nab it from the Rabbit,” the non-profit group welcomed over 200 guests for a day of games, crafts, and family-friendly activities designed to entertain everyone in attendance.
“We have been doing the Easter Egg Hunt for individuals with special needs since 2016,” said LIFE Center Marketing Director Randy Windsor. “But it wasn’t until 2022 that we finally decided to open it up to adults with developmental disabilities as well.”
According to Windsor, once the egg hunt was open to adults with disabilities, the event became much more popular and quickly grew in size and participation.
“When we decided to expand the event, we publicized it much more,” said Windsor. “In our first year, we had about 100 people participate, where before we only had around 30 people. The following year we had around 200 people, and this year, we have had over 200 people come out.”
Saturday’s LIFE Center-sponsored Easter Egg Hunt for children and adults with disabilities drew its largest crowd to date. Josh and Evie Hayner saw the event advertised online and came down from St. Louis to participate. In the photo, Evie picks out tattoos for herself and her father during the annual event. Craig Vaughn
The LIFE Center for Independent Living provides resources for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens. Windsor explained that Saturday’s event was meant to introduce the organization to the public, in addition to giving the participating children and adults a wonderful time.
“We hold the egg hunt as an activity for people we assist,” said Windsor. “But it is also a great way to show the community what we do, and it is a good way for them to show their support for us, as well.”
During Saturday’s event, the LIFE Center offered activities designed for everyone, regardless of ability.
“All of the games we have are on a level playing field,” Windsor said. “As a matter of fact, we have a putting green that allows anyone to participate. For many of our clients who are in a wheelchair, putting would not be an option, but they have a tube they can roll the ball down so they can still putt.”
Carson Daly, the therapy horse, makes an appearance at Saturday’s Easter Egg Hunt for children and adults with disabilities, which is sponsored every year by the LIFE Center for Independent Living in Farmington. Carson is seen hanging out with one of his friends, Jola Aslinger, during the event. Craig Vaughn
In addition to games and crafts, the annual event also offered some unique opportunities, such as Carson Daly, a therapy horse, and Foo Foo, a therapy rabbit.
Suzanne Baker, who is Carson Daly’s owner, explained how the horse works with many of the center’s clients and was specifically invited to the event.
“Carson is a mounted shooting horse and also a therapeutic horse,” said Baker. “He actually hangs out with quite a few of our clients who are here today. He is actually here today because his special friend, Bryar Thomas, who is here today, asked Carson to be here.”
Foo Foo, the therapy rabbit, lends a helping hand by helping participants at Saturday’s Easter Egg Hunt for children and adults with disabilities feel less anxious interacting with live animals. Craig Vaughn
Lending Carson a helping hand in comforting and bringing joy to those in attendance, Foo Foo provided many of the participants with their first opportunity to interact with a live animal.
“To see their faces when they first touch Foo Foo is amazing,” said Roxanne, who works at the LIFE Center. “Some of them are afraid when they first come and see the rabbit, but once they touch Foo Foo, they are no longer afraid anymore. They relate to the rabbit, and he relates to them as well. I have seen this happen many times.”
In addition to the therapy animals participating in Saturday’s event, the Farmington Fire Department and the St Francois County Ambulance District were also present. They sought to calm any fears Easter egg hunt participants might have if one of the two first responders happened to respond to a future emergency situation, such as a call to their home or at the scene of an accident.
“Today’s event gives them an opportunity to look through the truck and see our equipment,” said Captain Adam Schenavar. “It gives them an opportunity to see what we look like when we are all dressed up in the event we have to roll up on a call.”
Parked outside the gymnasium, the St Francois County Ambulance District was also helping calm the anxious feelings many people experience when interacting with paramedics by showing them the ambulance and the equipment they use when providing care.
“It is just amazing to interact with these kids and make them smile,” said Ariel Gray, a paramedic with the ambulance district. “It is nice to educate them about the ambulance. This way, they are not scared of us if we come up while making a call.”
Besides offering a day of fun and games, the event has also demonstrated the support the community has for the LIFE Center and its clientele.
“We have had such a great outpouring of community support from the fire department, the ambulance district, and local businesses,” said Windsor. “All of the funding for this event was made possible through donations and sponsorships from local people and businesses. It has been just a wonderful day.”
Craig Vaughn is a contributing writer for the Daily Journal.
