The Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office is organizing their inaugural First Responder Easter Egg Hunt, filled with different activities for the children of Crenshaw County. 

“We’re just trying to do something for the kids; unfortunately in the past we’ve not had a whole bunch to do for the kids, so we’re trying to have something they can do,” said Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears. “We wanted to do something for the kids and the special-needs kids as well; it gives them an opportunity to get out and do something positive.” 

The egg hunt will be open to children ages birth to 18, who will be tasked to find plastic easter eggs filled with different treats and candies. 

The age ranges for egg hunts include birth – 3, 4 – 8, 9 – 12 and 13 – 18. There will also be an egg hunt for neurodivergent children. 

“We will be kicking our easter egg hunts off with the first full hour dedicated to our multifunctional children of Crenshaw County,” said Crenshaw County Jail Administrator Angel Hebert. “We will have help from our special education teachers of Crenshaw County. [It’s] an amazing feeling knowing our teachers love our children and care about their happiness in and outside of the classroom.” 

Alongside the egg hunts, there will also be sack races, easter egg coloring contests, inflatable bounce houses, face painting and more. 

There will also be different booths set up, including a 4-H booth with games, concessions sold by the Crenshaw County Children’s Policy Council and a spin-the-wheel and refreshments by McDonalds. 

Additionally, first responders will be present at the event to help children to learn through a touch-a-truck section.

“We have invited all Crenshaw County Fire Departments, District Judge [Jon] Folmar, [Chief] Juvenile Probation Officer [Heather] Coots, Crenshaw County Detention, Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office, City of Luverne Police Department, Town of Brantley Police Department, [Emergency Management Services] EMS, Alabama [Law Enforcement Agency] Troopers, [E-9-1-1], [Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources] Game and Fish, and our County Commission,” Hebert said. “Without all those included we wouldn’t be able to keep our county safe. They truly don’t get enough credit as they deserve so I would like to add that now; Thank you for being our fearless leaders.” 

“[This event] gives the kids an opportunity to see…” Mears said. “We’re here to help kids, and we want them to always see a positive side of us. As the kids grow older, they hopefully may want to lead a career either in policing or firefighting.” 

The Sheriff’s expressed his gratitude to donors whose support made the event possible: The Chicken Shack; Town of Brantley; City of Luverne; Turner’s Funeral Home; Hudson Heavy Duty; El Patron; Love It Again Thrift and Boutique; First Citizens Bank; Fire and Ice; Extreme Heating and Air; Los Hermanos; Bill’s Auto Body; Luverne Hardware; Brantley Bank; Stacy Williams/ W.L Petrey and Stephens Concrete.

The First Responder Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the Tom Harbin Agricultural Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12.