The Garage That Gives Back: North Dakota Women Build Easter Magic for Local Kids

With Easter right around the corner you might want to check out what two North Dakota women are doing before you get your baskets.

Jennifer Schauer and Jolene Theil made it their mission to give the people of Bismarck-Mandan a more affordable way to celebrate the holiday.

"Eleven years ago I was decorating for Easter and had a whole bin full of brand-new children's Easter items, so I did what most people do and tried to pawn it off on my mom," said Schauer.

Once they realized they both had plenty of Easter stuff, an idea was born. They decided to turn their extra Easter items into baskets and post them for sale.

The following year as Easter stuff started to hit the shelves, Schauer noticed something. The pre-made Easter baskets were incredibly spendy. She also felt like they didn't have a lot of toys and candy in them.

She decided in that moment that she was going to team up with her mom to help the parents in Bismarck-Mandan get more bang for their buck.

The Hippity Hop Shop

The mother-daughter duo started an Easter basket business, and it took off.

"Every year we receive messages from people who have purchased them about how much easier it has made it for them. We've had single parents tell us they could never have created the basket we provided for them," said Schauer.

The two women started with eleven Easter baskets, and now over the years they've worked their way up to making hundreds.

The baskets are starting to take over their garage! Take a look.

As you can see, the baskets have different themes, so you have plenty of Easter options.

Schauer tells me they are also about 30 to 60 percent less than what a normal retailer might charge. The baskets don't typically have a lot of candy, but they are full of all brand new items.

It is inspiring to see two people step up and do something truly meaningful for their community.

Every year the Hippity Hop Shop donates 20-25 baskets to local organizations.