Over the years Higher M-Pact (HMP) has given away over 10,000 Easter baskets and 7,000 Easter eggs letting kids know that Jesus is the reason for the season.   As part of this HMP tradition, HMP’s youth who are part of the Leaders of Tomorrow program spent the week before Easter purchasing, preparing and loading baskets for delivery to children of low income families.

This year, over forty volunteers spread Easter cheer and marked the 14th year for the Easter Basket Giveaway and 5th Annual Egg Hunt.  Volunteers gathered the Saturday before Easter to deliver baskets.  Teams of volunteers distributed baskets to children in four urban housing complexes:  West Bluff, River View Gardens, Parker Square and Wayne Miner.  The volunteers touched many lives but were also touched themselves by the gratitude of the children and their families.

This year we also included our 5th annual Easter Egg Hunt at West Bluff housing project for youth ages 10 and under.  More than 1000 Easter eggs disappeared in less than minutes!   After the hunt, the youth and their families gathered around HMP’s Founder & President, Tyrone Flowers, who explained the purpose of Easter, Jesus’ death burial and resurrection.

One of the most moving accounts came from two youth in HMP’s Leaders of Tomorrow program.  This was their first community service project.  Darien said “I didn’t really know how I would feel in giving back to the community, but after I saw the excitement on a kids face when I gave him a basket.  He was so happy jumping up and down that it made me happy.  I really felt good.  Now I understand why it is important to give back to the community.”

Special thanks to Pastor Steve Dighton, Lenexa Baptist Church and Tom Lipscomb & Family for their continued support in making this annual event a great success.