SUDBURY -- Teddy bears are starting to appear inside the windows of homes in Sault Ste. Marie.
It's part of a growing trend to show support for frontline and essential workers in a creative way during the pandemic.
"Our Easter egg hunt was a big hit this year, so much so that I knew I wanted to continue the trend as this goes on," said Sarah Skagen, organizer for the Spring Bear and Bow Hunt.
"A lot of people had been asking me to organize something to show support for our essential workers, so I kinda came up with this idea and it's really taking off."
While similar initiatives have started in communities across the globe, Skagen says she was just looking for ways to entertain her daughter while she's stuck at home.
With many in the community looking to do the same, she says the idea of a scavenger hunt popped into her mind.
"Within maybe 20 minutes of me posting online that we're changing it up, people were already jumping on board," said Skagen.
"Some had started putting up bears with ribbons, which I didn't even think of initially and it's really just taking off from there."
Skagen says certain coloured ribbons represent different types of frontline workers.
Blue for healthcare, red for retail and food, yellow for transportation, and purple, representing those in the hospitality industry.
Skagen adds the bear hunt will last until mid-May, but that she already has plans for an even bigger hunt.
