David Hyche, an employee of the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) agency, found a clever way to allow his blind daughter the opportunity to go on a Easter egg hunt. When Hyche first found out that his daughter was going blind, he feared that her life would be severely limited as a result. He soon discovered, however, that there are many resources available to help the blind.
Using a simple list of inexpensive products, including a beeper, a nine volt battery, a battery clip, and a switch, Hyche was able to create makeshift beeping Easter eggs. The cost was twelve dollars per egg. He hid them around the yard for his daughter to find. She had a great time collecting the eggs.
His efforts led to the creation of what is now known as the Rachel Project. Members of the ATF and other bomb technician agencies build beeping eggs and donate them to schools and organizations that serve the blind. The eggs are no longer just used for Easter.
They are also used year round to help blind kids learn how to find and retrieve items. What started out as a simple plan by a father wanting to help his daughter enjoy an Easter tradition has grown into a major nationwide endeavor. Ten thousand dollars is donated annually for the project.