Some 50 kids and adults in the Walking School Bus program braved Friday morning’s brisk 32-degree temperatures to take a detour on an Easter egg hunt.
Walking School Bus Coordinator Misty VonBehren and Dallas County’s representative on the Early Childhood Iowa Board of Director,s Lois Hoger of Perry, were among the adult volunteers leading the Perry Elementary School walkers in the Easter minor deviation from their usual route.
Suzanne Kestel volunteered the use of her yard along the McKinley Street route, and her house was generously “egged” by Dallas County Relay For Life committee member Gary Iles, much to the delight of the youngsters and adults alike.
Now in its fourth year, the Walking School Bus is a program of the Dallas County Public Health Department and the Perry Community School District and includes partners the Dallas County Hospital and Dallas County EMS.
The bus runs — or rather walks — every Friday during the school year. Student walkers gather at Perry High School at 7:15 a.m. and leave for Perry Elementary School at 7:30 a.m., safely shepherded by the adult volunteers.
Volunteer walkers and weekly business sponsors are always needed for the Walking School Bus program. For more information, call VonBehren at 515-465-3569.
