On a pleasant spring Saturday, residents of Pismo Beach gathered to kick off the Easter festivities early. At Spyglass Park, an annual event known as the Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt took place, organized by the Banta family in collaboration with the Children’s Resource & Referral organization from Santa Barbara County. This unique gathering provided children with special needs and their families an opportunity to participate in a sensory-friendly egg hunt alongside various activities, games, and refreshments. The event was designed to foster inclusivity and community spirit, ensuring that all participants felt welcome and valued.

The celebration featured thousands of brightly colored plastic eggs scattered across the park grounds for children to discover. To accommodate those in wheelchairs, organizers ingeniously attached 100 eggs to helium balloons, allowing kids to simply grab the strings and bring the eggs within reach. Jacqui Banta, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Resource & Referral, highlighted the significance of this event in bringing families together annually. She emphasized the importance of creating a space where everyone feels they belong, noting the sensory-friendly environment as a key aspect of the occasion.

This year’s hunt aimed to reinforce the message of inclusion and acceptance. By providing a platform where every child could participate fully, the organizers hoped to strengthen bonds among families while celebrating the joy of Easter. Such initiatives reflect the broader commitment of local organizations to support diverse communities through meaningful events.

In the end, the day was not just about finding eggs but about fostering connections and celebrating diversity. Families left the event feeling inspired and reminded of their integral role in the community. Through thoughtful planning and heartfelt execution, the Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt became more than just a tradition—it became a testament to the power of unity and compassion.