Santa Claus may have his elves to help him at the North Pole, but in Poplar Bluff, the Easter Bunny is getting a helping hand from a local church youth group.
The Ignite Student Ministries group at Grace Christian Fellowship Church is once again offering their “Egg My Yard” fundraiser, in which the youth hide candy-filled plastic eggs around the yards of participating families.
Residents can purchase three quantities of eggs: 25 eggs for $25; 50 eggs for $35; or 100 eggs for $65.
This year marks the third time in four years the Ignite youth group has offered this fun Easter service for families with young children. Like so many other things lost in the COVID-19 pandemic, they were not able to provide the service last year.
Families can choose whether they want the eggs in plain sight or hidden in more challenging locations in their yard.
“How hard we hide the eggs depends on what the parents want,” said Ponda Ward, one of the youth leaders at Grace Christian Fellowship.
The money raised will help fund Youth Summer Camp. Ignite youth number about 30 students at this time, and they have to participate in the “Egg My Yard” activities to be eligible for the camp funds.
“This is one of our biggest fundraisers,” said Michelle DeGaris, another of the church’s youth leaders. She estimates that about 10 households have already purchased 500 eggs for this year. The youth group still has another 500 available.
“We will take orders as late as the Thursday before Easter,” said J.D. Ward, who also serves as a youth leader.
“This is a great service for parents and grandparents who may not have the time to purchase, fill and hide Easter eggs,” Ponda Ward said.
The junior high youth will attend Camp Allen, south of Greenville, in July, while Ignite’s senior high youth are headed to Logan Valley near Ellington, also in July.
For more information or to place an order for your own eggs, contact Ponda Ward at 573-300-3845, Michelle DeGaris at 573-776-5486 or Erin Deaton at 573-772-3286.
Grace Christian Fellowship is located on South Westwood Boulevard, across from AMC Theaters Showplace 8. The Ignite Student Ministries group meets at the church on Wednesday evenings.