Be a Bunny program delivers baskets of joy
Children at the Meyer Center in Greenville received a visit
from the Easter Bunny along with baskets from United Way's Be a Bunny
program.
The spring season will be a little bit brighter this year
for hundreds of local children thanks to United Way of Greenville County’s “Be
a Bunny” program.
Employees at 62 Greenville County companies rallied around this year’s Be a Bunny effort, collecting more than 1,700 Easter baskets for children from low-income families or children with special needs. The baskets, which are stuffed with a variety of treats, toys and personal items, were collected and then distributed to 19 local agencies serving children in need.
Companies also collected an additional 100 baskets as gifts to Greenville County senior citizens served by Pleasant Valley Connection, Urban League of the Upstate and Poinsett House for Seniors.
As one of its annual service projects, United Way of Greenville County’s Young Philanthropists – donors age 40 and under who contribute at least $1,000 annually to United Way’s community campaign – also chipped in by collecting more than 100 baskets. Those baskets will be distributed to children in Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs Board’s KidVentures program for families of young children with special needs.
United Way of Greenville County began the Be a Bunny program in 1999 as a way to build upon the cheer and goodwill so often shared during the winter holiday season, and extend it to children and seniors throughout the year.
Agencies assisting in the distribution of baskets this year are: A Child’s Haven, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Center for Developmental Services, Communities in Schools, Foothills Family Resources, Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, Greenville Rape Crisis and Child Abuse Center, Greer Relief, Meyer Center, Greenville City Community Centers, Pendleton Place, Phillis Wheatley, Pleasant Valley Connection, Safe Harbor, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, SHARE Headstart, Urban League of the Upstate, YMCA Judson Center, Sterling Hope Center.
