CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- All over the country, people have been painting rocks and leaving them in public places for others to find.

     While living in Washington state, Danielle Hand and her daughter found their first rock.

     "It started when my daughter found the very first rock when we were in Vancouver, Washington," said Steuben County "Rocks" Facebook group creator, Danielle Hand. "We were living out there and she found this rock while we were at the dog park and it was the cutest thing. I think it looked like a little puppy dog."

     When Hand and her family moved back to the Southern Tier, she decided to continue the fun.

     She created the "Steuben County 'Rocks'" Facebook group in May.

     Since then the group has gotten over ten-thousand members sharing their creations and stories.

     Members of Steuben County "Rocks" paint and hide rocks daily. But it's more than just that. It's about bring the community together.

     "It's getting families together," said Hand. "It's getting kids away from the TV screen, it's getting people out and about in the communities. I don't think Denison Park has ever seen so many people."

     Rock designs range from raising awareness for a disease or illness, to movies, to remembering a loved one.

     Anyone can paint and hide rocks no matter what your skill level.

     After a rock is found, it's up to its finder to either keep it or re-hide it for someone else to enjoy. 

     "You just hide them and it makes someone's day and, when you find them, you're like making your own day," said rock collector and creator, Ariel Fekety.

     While some people may think painting and hiding rocks is silly, to others, it's a big part of their lives.

     "You can pick it up at your worst possible time of the day or year or your life and if you find a rock it's going to make you smile," said Hand. "So that's the why." 

     If you'd like to join the Steuben County "Rocks" group, you can visit them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/294518240990661/.