Local families, officials and police are ‘hopping’ into action this Easter weekend to keep children safe.
A ‘Breakfast with the Easter Bunny’ event took place Saturday morning at the Young People’s Community Center in Ebensburg. The event was hosted by State Rep. Frank Burns.
The early Easter celebration featured crafts, food and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself.
“They’re having fun and that’s what it’s all about,” said Northern Cambria resident Darlene Yuhas. “Sitting with the Easter Bunny, and making the baskets and coloring: big thing coloring.”
The event also taught children and their families important safety lessons like car seat and bicycle safety.
“We have the state police here. They’re teaching kids how they do their job and getting comfortable interacting with police officer to let them know, they’re here to help,” said Rep. Burns.
Ebensburg resident and mother of two, Anna Elias-Shaffer, said she was glad police emphasized the importance of wearing helmets, especially since her family lives on a main street in town and her 9-year-old son, Zack, rides his bike often.
“We do live on the streets of Ebensburg, so him riding his bike makes me a little nervous. So, to have a police officer talk about that instead of just a parent, it makes a big difference,” said Elias-Shaffer.
Police also helped build trust with children through fun activities: showing them how to dust for fingerprints.
“It’s always a good opportunity for us to interact with children,” said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Clifford Greenfield. “So that they don’t see us as someone to be scared of. We want to have a good relationship with the youth in our communities.”
Police said they’re ‘hoppy’ to help, but parents also need to spring into action to make sure their children stay safe.
“Kids have to learn early on, and this kind of helps them. Plus, us helping them along the way too,” Yuhas said.