With Easter right around the corner, Poplarville’s Teen Challenge of Mississippi is hosting their annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Egg Hunt at the Crosby Arboretum on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The free event will include breakfast, a photo opportunity with the Easter bunny, an Easter egg hunt, live music, face painting and games, Teen Challenge Fundraising Coordinator Erica Sloan said.

The event also serves as a fundraiser for Teen Challenge, a non-profit Christian residential ministry that provides counseling for women suffering with life controlling issues like drug and alcohol addiction, Sloan said.

“This type of event helps us raise money to provide scholarships for women who have depleted their resources and don’t have money to get into our program,” Sloan said. “Our women normally come and stay at the residence for a minimum of 12 months and learn about Jesus through our Christian program.”

Sloan said she was in the program a few years ago and it changed her life for the better.

“This is really saving lives, the drug epidemic is running rampant, our phone rings all day long with people trying to get into our program,” Sloan said. “The worst thing is turning people away because they don’t have money, so fundraising is vital.”

Sloan said donation boxes will be set up around the park during the Easter event for those who would like to donate money.

The ministry raised $500 at last year’s event.

For more information about the organization, visit teenchallengems.org.