BUCYRUS — Bucyrus residents have banded together to create a teddy bear scavenger hunt to entertain children across the area.
Lori Starner was quite surprised by the number of people that were posting on Facebook that they had a bear in their window for people to spot when out walking during the governor’s stay at home order to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My husband, being the commander of the VFW Post 1078, and Shawn Ridgeway from Breezy’s Pizza being our friend, I thought how cool would it be to have a scavenger hunt and allow families to win prizes,” Starner said. “I knew that the VFW could purchase a pizza from Breezy’s to give to a family and after calling Shawn he agreed to participate as well. It wasn’t long and we had several businesses offering to participate with giving out prizes.”
She enlisted the help of her friend, Stacy Orewiler, to assist with all the details for the hunt that will take place on April 25.
“Lori Starner called me up one day and asked what my thoughts were on turning the bear hunt into a scavenger hunt. I said that it was possible, and I would see what I could do,” Orewiler said.
She said they have gathered some residential houses that have bears and other animals in their window, yards or porches as well as some business.
“I have created a little riddle and have the street name of where they are located,” Orewiler said. “I have a form that I created that they will pick up at my address, 251 Wayne Ave on Sunday, April 19, they will be available starting at 9 a.m. I will have a box with the forms in it. We have a limited amount of forms available and once they are gone, that’s it.”
The event will start Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. All riddle forms should be returned to 251 Wayne Ave by 8 p.m. on April 25.
“We will then work on verifying who has gotten correct locations and determine winners. All winners will be notified, and prizes mailed out,” Orewiler said. “Lori and I have gotten a good number of businesses that have made donations and we will continue to take donations up until April 25.”
Orewiler said she has been inspired by the quickly growing bear hunt Facebook group that was created in March.
“We have over 500 members and there are new posts daily of where bears have been spotted. It’s amazing so to hold this scavenger hunt was an easy decision. What better way to bring families something fun to do and add a twist to it as well as our community to unite us and make us stronger,” Orewiler said. “Seeing everyone put a bear or other animals out to be seen has shown that you can bring the people in a community together in an unconventional way. It just goes to show you that people do support, care and look out for one another in this community. We are all in this together.”
Local businesses that have donated prizes include Nothing’s Better, Walmart, Arby’s, Burger King, Norton’s Flowers, Castle Appraisals and Auctions, Print Happy and Seigneur Photography.