Full story Monday night at 10 p.m. on 6 On Your Side:
With a stay-at-home order still in place in Idaho, it’s safe to say that Easter Sunday is going to look a little bit different this year. Plus with the holiday less than a week away, eighteen community partners, Including the Speedy Foundation and Children's Home Society, have come together to create a virtual Easter egg hunt online, at IdahoResilienceProject.org.
Colbi Twiss says she came up with the idea last Monday. It's designed to provide some fun for kids, while also promoting resilience and awareness on mental health resources for parents.
"Parents are always having to think, ‘What am I gonna do with my kids today?’ So this might give them an opportunity for that," said Twiss, a marketing manager at Children's Home Society.
She says the project is all in an effort to give families something that, “Brings, ya know, some hope and happiness!” said Twiss.
Because even though everything fun and celebratory feels like it’s been canceled amid social distancing guidelines, Easter doesn’t have to be canceled.
“We’re not going to be able to do the parks with the easter egg hunts, and the big family brunches.”
It may, however, need to adapt with the times.
“You go to the egg on their webpage — hopefully learn a little something about that organization — and then they find a word associated with that egg, and then there’s a form they fill out to submit their answers," said Twiss.
You can win prizes with the more eggs you find! Plus, as a way of fostering a sense of community, there’s also a link for printable coloring book pages.
“Then, we’re asking that they post them on all of the adults’ social pages,” said Twiss.
Pages like Instagram, using the hashtag #idahope.
But it’s not all fun and games: this Easter egg hunt also aims to spread awareness on the state’s many services and lifelines.
“Idaho has an abundance of resources out there for them, whatever they’re struggling with, whether it’s mental health, whether it’s abuse or neglect," said Twiss.
Because despite what can feel like a lonely time, these community members want to get this message across: "We really are all in this together.”
"Spring... ya know... it it represents hope," added Twiss. "And I think that’s what we’re all holding onto right now, and, knowing that we’re not alone," said Twiss.
