Last year, Dustin, a 7 year old boy with autism attended an egg hunt in Schuylkill County with other children and due to his disability, was unable to get any eggs. He did not have adequate time and the noise of the horn scared him due to a sensory issue.
With the lack of events geared towards individuals with disabilities, Dustin’s mother, Amy Free, of Pottsville, gathered some friends and sprung into action. Together they organized "Dustin's Eggstavaganza Special Egg Hunt", which was held Saturday at the South Cass Township Fire Company just outside Minersville.
The event, was open to all Schuylkill County children 16 and under who suffer from a disability. Over 100 children registered for the event.
There were 2 separate areas with the specific needs of the children in mind. One area included eggs on top of cones and attached to balloons for wheelchair bound children and also special "beeping" eggs that were provided specially by the Pennsylvania State Police Bomb Squard.
Each child awas guaranteed to receive eggs and have an equal opportunity for larger prizes.
Other activities such as egg painting and other games were also available along with a bunch of characters which included the CACL Dinosaur, Elsa, Cinderella, Elmo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a minion, and the Aaron's Dog.
The Easter Bunny also attended and was escorted to the event on a Army M29 Weasel from World War II.
Bicycles were also raffled off to 3 lucky kids.
Sponsoring the event were McDonald’s Lunch from Girardville, Michels Hearing Center, Pennsylvania State Police, Wheel, Calvin Family, Dawn and Bill, Aaron’s, Skook House of Jerky, Berks Hot Dogs, Skook News, AMVETS Pottsville, South Cass Fire Company, Izspired, The Republican-Herald, PA Live (WBRE), BG’s Value Market, Gym-Jam, Copycat Business Systems Inc. and JBP Photographics and Art.
