Business Organization Hosts Easter Egg Hunt

Commentary Editor

   The Institute of Management Accountants held an Easter egg hunt for the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home April 11.

   The children and house parents of various cottages dyed eggs with IMA members for the morning event and the cottages with the prettiest eggs also received an extra prize.

   The children hunted plastic eggs to receive candy and prizes at the end. Each child also received a “prize” at the end of the hunt. The IMA hid the eggs in different areas for each age group and prize eggs for appropriate ages.

   Approximately 41 children ranging in ages from 2-17 participated in the activity. Each child received an Easter basket with a gift cards to local fast-food restaurants. Other prizes included Wal-Mart gift cards and movie tickets

   Amanda Keithley described the event as stressful trying to plan, but worth it in the end. She said the egg hunt was great and they hid almost 1,500 eggs. According to Keithley, the children found them all in 15 minutes.

   “The kids had a blast dying eggs and even just having other people there to play with them really meant a lot to them,” Keithley said. “Every one of the children there were nice and polite and eager to help out which made things a lot easier. I left 2 hours after the hunt was over and the kids were still outside playing together with all the prizes they had won and truly looked happy which made the made all the time and effort spent in making this happen all worth it and I can not wait to do it all again!”

   Many groups host activities at for the children at the home and some on a regular basis. D.J. Chambers, a worker with the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home, said the home hoped the IMA would do the Easter Egg hunt yearly. 

   Chambers described the day of the hunt as a fantastic day. 

   “It was as much fun for the older kids as it was for the younger ones.  This was also very enjoyable for the staff because someone else was hiding the eggs and organizing everything,” Chambers said. “It was one of the best Easter egg hunts we have ever had.  Everyone had a great time!”

   Chambers worked with Becky Phillips, instructor in the School of Business, and Keithley in planning the activities. She attended one of the IMA meetings to answer questions. Chambers praised the IMA saying they included every child and provided a very comfortable atmosphere.

   “It was amazing watching these kids bond so quickly with this group,” Chambers said. “I look forward to working with them again.”

   Keithley worked as chairperson for the event and worked with a committee consisting of Catherine Glass, Aaron Gerbitz, Amber Reaves and J.J. Solorio. Each member worked to prepare for the event. Keithley worked on the major planning, organizing, collecting some donations and buying the items needed for the hunt. Gerbitz collected most of the donations. Reaves created the signs and helped shop for prizes and Glass, who was unable to be there for the hunt, hard boiled eight-dozen eggs for the children to dye.

  A few certified accounting firms and local businesses helped with monetary donations or donated items for the event. Phillips thanked the other IMA members who helped organize the event or donated candy.

“It was a huge success and we couldn't have done it without all the support we received from everyone,” Phillips said.

   IMA members who participated in the event included: Amanda Keithley, Amber Reaves, Aaron Gerbitz, J.J. Solorio, Melinda Ward, Melody Ferguson, Monica Strickland, Diane Forrest, Gene Gulledge, professor of Accounting, Ted Hammett, associate professor of Accounting and Becky Phillips, instructor in the School of Business.

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