To practice social distancing or to spend time with friends and family: the families on Brew Street in Tamaqua argued, “Why not both?”

Diane Chicanavage of Tamaqua discovered a solution to provide the children of her neighborhood with a fun way to celebrate Easter while still keeping everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic: Easter egg hunting, with a twist.

As she reflected on current world happenings and her memories with her neighbors, Chicanavage decided it was time for her to give back to her small community by conducting a local Easter egg hunt. The twist, she added, is that there were multiple small hunts held within each individual backyard instead of one large hunt so the families wouldn’t be in contact with each other during the egg hunting.

When Chicanavage initially expressed interest in conducting an Easter egg hunt, her neighbors quickly began helping her to ensure the event would happen before Easter. Chicanavage bought candy to fill the Easter eggs that three of her neighbors donated, and she prepared the eggs in advance so they’d be ready to go on Saturday, the day of the egg hunt.

She also set up a gift table on the morning of the event that consisted of items such as sidewalk chalk, bubbles and sports balls.

Chicanavage texted her neighbors in the days leading up to the event so all of the participating parents would know when to bring their children outside. In case anyone forgot on the day of, neighbor Sandy Bonner used her “famous whistle” to signal when it was time to begin egg hunting.

“My neighbors helped to put the eggs in each other’s yards and had gloves on while doing so,” Chicanavage said. “We all knew what we needed to do … to keep everyone safe.”

Hidden inside each Easter egg was a number that correlated to the numbered prizes on the gift table. While wearing a mask and gloves, Chicanavage awarded the children their prizes as they approached the gift table.

Ava Kerestus, 11, said her favorite gift was the Frisbee, and her younger brother, Max, 5, said his favorite gift was the dinosaur with an egg inside of it.

Their mother, Heather Folweiler-Kerestus, said it was the perfect way to spend the day together yet apart with their community.

“I think it was a great way to take part in an activity that is a staple to this holiday, but in a safe way. … I don’t think for a second that (the children) felt it was any less than a normal egg hunt.”

Holly Watson, mother of Charlotte, 5, and Piper, 3, who participated in the neighborhood egg hunt, added that although it was difficult not being able to do all of the things she’d traditionally do for her daughters on Easter, it filled her heart with joy to see her community come together during this time.