Bloomington nursing home invites over 100 kids for Easter egg hunt

Pantagraph - 3/24/2024

Mar. 23—BLOOMINGTON — In a larger-than-expected turnout, over 100 children scrambled about the grounds of Carriage Crossing Senior Living Saturday morning for its first-ever Easter egg hunt.

"I think that we had a larger crowd than what we thought we would for being the first year," said Cynthia West, executive director for the assisted living center on Bloomington's far east side.

"But that's great, right?" she said. "It gives us more to push for next year."

Now in its sixth year of business, staff at Carriage Crossing are trying to find new, creative ways to get the community involved with their residents, said Community Relations Director Kaleigh Newsome.

"(These events) provide just an overall better quality of life," Newsome said.

The residents seem to agree.

"I think it's a good idea," said 87-year-old resident Loretta Gibbens. "And it looks like they're all having a lot of fun." She and her husband, Cliff, have lived at Carriage Crossings for about three years, she said.

Mike and Martha Ayers are from Rantoul, but their daughter and son-in-law are from Normal.

The Ayers brought their 6-year-old grandson, Harrison Phillips, to the egg hunt, though he was adamant this was not his first rodeo.

"I've probably (been to) like five or six," Phillips said. "I really am excited to see what's in there (the eggs)."

Mike Ayers said, "We got the pleasure of taking care of the grandkids ... it's a good time, seeing them have fun."

Holding events like the egg hunt is important for residents to stay connected with their families, West said.

"They need to have that family time, right?" she said. "We all yearn for that family time. We want our family to be involved in everything that we do."

It also helps promote positive mental health for the residents, West said.

"It helps keep the residents more active. It just, overall, is a better quality of life," West said, echoing her community relations director.

Carriage Crossings plans to hold another Easter egg hunt next year and is also working on similar events to hold throughout the year, West said.

They already have a "Breakfast with Santa" around Christmas and have plans for Halloween, she said, and those living at the center appreciate the efforts.

"Carriage Crossings is a good place to live," Gibbens said. "And these events are very meaningful to us that can't get out very often."

Contact D. Jack Alkire at (309)820-3275.

Twitter: @d_jack_alkire

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