When most people picture an Easter egg hunt, they imagine colorful eggs scattered across a grassy field, excited children dashing about, and plenty of laughter. But for some children—particularly those who are blind or visually impaired—traditional egg hunts often mean sitting on the sidelines. This year, the La Marque Fire Department is changing that.
Thanks to a heartwarming initiative known as The Rachel Project, La Marque’s first inclusive Easter egg hunt is set to bring the joy of the season to every child, regardless of their visual abilities.
Inspired by a program created by a bomb technician over a decade ago for his blind daughter, the event features specially modified Easter eggs equipped with buzzers. These eggs emit sound, allowing children to locate them using their sense of hearing rather than sight.
Fire Marshal Brennan Briggs, who helped spearhead the first local project, explained how each egg is handmade with simple components: a switch, a buzzer, and a battery. “If we can give just one child the experience of an Easter egg hunt for the first time—that feeling of independence and accomplishment—that’s a win,” he said.
What’s even more incredible is that not a single taxpayer dollar is funding this event.
“We didn’t have to go door-to-door asking for help,” Briggs said. “The community came together on their own.”
Set for April 12 from 1 to 4 PM at La Marque, the event will be packed with family fun. A petting zoo and photo ops with the Easter Bunny are included. Firefighters and police officers are volunteering their time to escort each child so parents can relax, take photos, and soak in the joy of the day.
The event is inclusive not only for visually impaired children but also for their siblings—who will be given blindfolds to walk a few moments in their sibling’s shoes.