For many children, as Easter rolls around, they begin to think about the famous bunny that comes hopping along with eggs and chocolate.
However, for some children, bunnies are a part of their everyday lives.
M.J. Ryan Funny Bunnies is a club that meets from March through August, and was created in order to teach kids how to care for their rabbits, and even guinea pigs on occasion.
The name for the club came when the kids were at their first meeting at M.J. Ryan Elementary school in Lewis Run, and when they were asked what they wanted to name the club, they chose the name of the school.
Rebecca Ruckdeschel, who has been a leader of the club for 28 years, said that they focus on teaching kids responsibility, confidence and cooperation with others.
The club takes rabbits to the Bradford Ecumenical Home, Chapel Ridge and Crook Farm, as well as participating in the McKean County Fair in August.
“This is a big responsibility for the children,” said Ruckdeschel. “The animals are depending on them and it’s important to know how to take care of them.”
Ruckdeschel is also a pre-kindergarten teacher at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School, and has a special connection to the club. She’s had a love for rabbits ever since she was in fourth grade.
She started out by having two rabbits, and then ended up with 35.
“I have had a lot of these kids in school, and it’s enjoyable to see them in other parts of their life,” she said. “I’m getting to know them better and help them connect with their animals, as well as helping them to realize their abilities and how much they can do.”
Jacob Sherwood, who is in 6th grade, is in his first year with the club.
He has a total of 24 rabbits, including one named “Cocoa” who is blind.
Sherwood said the club has helped him quite a bit.
“It’s helped me learn how to take care of my rabbits better and meet friends that have rabbits too,” he said.
Bobbie Green, another leader of the club, has been involved for around five years.
She has loved rabbits ever since she was a kid and enjoys helping and sharing that same love for rabbits with the children in the club.
“We get to show the children not only how to take care of their rabbits, but how to be confident in doing so,” she said.
Arianna Piller has been a member of M.J. Ryan Funny Bunnies for about five years, and has eight rabbits.
She said being in the club has helped her with the responsibilities of owning rabbits, and that while she has been involved, she feels that she is more prepared to not only take care of her own rabbits, but help others with theirs.
Piller joined the club because she had an interest in rabbits and wanted to learn more about the animal and how to better care for them.
For children with rabbits, or are thinking about getting rabbits, Piller had this to say, “I would tell them that having a rabbit is a good choice because they are fun to care for and having a club with other kids who also have rabbits makes it easy to learn things that you didn’t know before.”
So, for some, Easter may be the only time rabbits cross our minds, but for these children, rabbits are on their minds everyday.
