By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Arc of Shelby County, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing support to individuals with developmental disabilities and delays, is benefiting from an event that rings in the Easter season.

The inaugural Bunny Bash and Color Dash Charitable Event, hosted by the University of Montevallo’s Stephens College of Business, will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Orr Park in Montevallo.

The event is a partnership with the Parks and Recreation Board of the city of Montevallo and supports The Arc of Shelby County and the Montevallo Club of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. All funds from the event, which is an Easter egg hunt and color run, go to both organizations.

The Easter egg hunt will begin at 10 a.m., followed by carnival games available throughout the day. The color run begins at noon, with registration closing at 11:45 a.m. Winners of the run, contests and the silent auction will be announced at 12:45 p.m.

Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the event, with family-friendly music and tailgate games adding to the event’s atmosphere. Vendors from the Shelby County and Greater Birmingham communities, along with a silent auction showcasing items from across Alabama, will also be present.

The fundraising goal for the event is $10,000. Carole Lyons, the director of development and community relations for The Arc of Shelby County, outlined why events like the Bunny Bash are so integral to supporting the nonprofit.

“Benefit events in the community like the Bunny Bash and Color Dash are wonderful for the families and individuals we serve all over the county,” Lyons said. “Offering family-friendly activities for all abilities is important for our community and the families we serve. The fun run is open to those in wheelchairs, strollers or wagons, so families can sign up and participate together. The event offers free activities, which is wonderful, so no family feels left out due to costs.”

Lyons outlined how the proceeds from the event will specifically benefit The Arc of Shelby County.

“Proceeds of the benefit will benefit The Arc of Shelby County so that we can continue to offer programs, services and workshops at no charge to families and individuals with a developmental disability and delay,” Lyons said.

Along with the Bunny Bash, The Arc of Shelby County is offering a free workshop on Thursday, April 24 beginning at 5 p.m. The workshop is designed to educate parents, caregivers and students on navigating school services and accommodations. The event will be hosted at The Arc’s office in Pelham, with information presented by Laura K. Hansen, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor and director of the University of Alabama’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic.

For more information on both events and The Arc of Shelby County, visit Thearcofshelby.org.