On Saturday, April 15 the Wyoming Honor Organization (WHO) will be hosting its 7th annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Union from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
The WHO Easter Egg Hunt is the organization’s largest event, bringing in over 3,000 community members each year to collect eggs, meet the Easter Bunny and participate in activities. Hannah Lewis, WHO treasurer, said the Easter Egg Hunt benefits both WHO members and the community.
“This event allows for children around the Laramie community to hunt for eggs in a safe environment,” Lewis said. “This event provides our members with a great community service opportunity, gives our RSO exposure in the Laramie community and a chance to engage with that community as best we can.”
Kelsey Wilbers, WHO president, said the Easter Egg Hunt embodies WHO’s values.
“WHO is here to serve and service to the community is a large part of that,” Wilbers said.
Members of WHO have been organizing this event since fall, with fundraising efforts carrying over from last year.
“WHO even holds a raffle during the event to fundraise for the next year,” Wiblers said. “As soon as we hit spring semester, the Easter Egg Hunt is our biggest priority.”
The magnitude of this event tends to make funding a significant challenge. In order to keep the Easter Egg Hunt free to the community, WHO must raise approximately $5,000 each year in preparation.
Wilbers said all of the hard work does pay off.
“The kids make it all worth it,” Wilbers said. “Watching them all get so excited about the Easter Bunny and getting their faces painted is the best feeling. All the time and hard work to pull off the event doesn’t matter as long as the kids are happy.”
One of the unique things about the Easter Egg Hunt is that it brings together many RSOs on campus to meet the needs of the event. Volunteers from many campus organizations have come together to make the Easter Egg Hunt happen.
“We involve ASUW, 7220 Entertainment, the Union and ASTEC,” Wiblers said. “It really pulls us all together.”
Lewis also said she is impressed by the teamwork that community service brings out.
“For weeks, we have had members of the organization stuffing eggs and getting things prepared,” Lewis said. “It’s awesome to see so many of our members coming together!”
This event is also unique in that it offers non-traditional students and other individuals who may not have a chance to experience a traditional Easter to attend a free, iconic event.
Paige Leonard, head of social media and public relations for WHO, said the most rewarding part of the Easter Egg Hunt is bringing joy to members of the community.
“The best part is watching the entire event come together in the last couple weeks, then watching the joy on the kids’ faces while they are hunting eggs or meeting the bunny,” Leonard said.
The Easter Egg Hunt will feature egg hunts for children up to age 12, face painting, food, raffles and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. All events are free, but donations are encouraged.
Parents of participants will be required to sign a waiver before the event begins for safety reasons. This is not an allergen-free event.
Lewis said she hopes that members of the community will take advantage of this opportunity to engage with each other.
“We are open to Laramie community members, faculty and non-traditional students’ families as well as anyone else who wants to join,” Lewis said. “In our view, this is the University of Wyoming’s way to give back to the community that supports us.”
