Hopping Into Hope: District Seven Spreads Easter Joy with Community, Games, and Resources
Hopping Into Spring has been hosted in North Baton Rouge for about 10 years, and this year it was held last Saturday at the MLK Community Center on Gus Young Avenue.
By Avery White
Louisiana State University
Easter came early in District Seven.
The day was a sunny 80 degrees, perfect for Easter egg hunts, giveaways and community engagement. The event, called Hopping Into Spring, was hosted by District Seven Council Member Twahna Harris and her team.
Hopping Into Spring has been hosted in North Baton Rouge for about 10 years, and this year it was held last Saturday at the MLK Community Center on Gus Young Avenue. The community came together to play games, eat food, and learn about the community resources offered.
“We wanted to do this the week before Easter because family is very important on Easter Sunday,” Harris said. “It's all about unity today and having a great time and enjoying all that we’re doing.”
Each child who came was given an Easter basket filled with goodies. Throughout the day, the kids had the chance to participate in an Easter egg hunt and play more games, like musical chairs and an egg roll outside the community center. The area around the center had been cleaned the day before through a community effort led by Harris.
“It’s great. It gives the kids something to do. Kids don’t play like they used to,” North Baton Rouge resident Anita Williams said. “It gets everybody out [to] see new people, learn new things.”
Tables lined the parking lot, and each table featured representatives of community organizations for residents to learn about. Among them were the Baton Rouge Library System, the Baton Rouge Community Street Team, and the East Baton Rouge school system. They each talked to visitors about their services and how they could be of help.
For example, the Louisiana Jumpstart Coalition talked about the need for financial literacy in the community.
“You can’t have a positive thriving community without the conversation starting and ending with financial literacy,” Jumpstart Executive Director Blaine Grimes said. “It’s not about money; it’s about doing better with what you got.”
In the end, families walked away with filled stomachs, Easter baskets, and hands full of pamphlets. Some even walked away with extra prizes, like scooters, which were raffled during the event.
“I hope we see more stuff like this around,” North Baton Rouge Resident Jonathan Hardy said.
The District Seven Council team is looking to the future to help its community through resource information and outreach. Team members can be contacted by email at tpharris@brla.gov or by phone at 225-389-5156, extension 5166.
“We want the community to know that our Council Seven councilwoman and staff are here to support,” Harris said. “We’re here to make certain that District Seven has everything that it needs.”
This story was reported and written by a student with the support of the non-profit Louisiana Collegiate News Collaborative, an LSU-led coalition of eight universities funded by the Henry Luce and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations.
