Putting on a rabbit costume is something that Mandy Sims enjoys doing.
"It's awesome," said the UPS supervisor, who has been the bunny for the United Way of Aiken County's Be a Bunny outreach program since 2013. "Sometimes you don't always get to have fun during your day, but this is one of my most favorite things that I do with the United Way each year."
Be a Bunny provides Easter baskets filled with things such as sugar-free candy, books, toiletries, pill boxes, stamps, nutritional drinks and first-aid supplies to senior citizens in the area.
Churches, businesses, organizations and individuals donate items and pack the baskets.
"We have around 700 or maybe 800 baskets this year," said Ellen Luton, the director of marketing for the United Way. "The Aiken Area Council on Aging will give out the majority of the them to their Meals on Wheels clients and their clients at their congregate dining sites. If there are any excess baskets, we'll take them to nursing homes and to The Salvation Army of Aiken and other agencies that work with seniors."
In addition, Sims delivers baskets to some of the elderly in their homes. Tuesday morning, Luton drove Sims to Gloverville in a van to surprise a few older residents there with the treat-filled containers.
"I absolutely love to see the look on people's faces when we deliver the baskets," Sims said. "It's the look of appreciation and sheer excitement. Sometimes, the people we visit don't get to see anyone during the day and they get a little spring cheer from this."
Mary Craig was feeling a little under the weather, but looked happy to see Luton and someone dressed in a big gray and white bunny costume at her door.
"You are the prettiest rabbit," she told Sims. "Thank you so much. You are so nice."
Grady Beck couldn't resist reaching out and touching the nose of Sims' costume.
"We appreciate this so much," said his wife, Frances. "We love you."
Shirley Dyches also was grateful.
"This is a very nice thing that you've done," she said.
Sims won the Young Professional Award during the United Way's annual meeting and awards ceremony earlier this month. She didn't have to be recruited to wear a rabbit costume for Be a Bunny; she volunteered.
"They were saying they needed someone to be the bunny, and I was like, 'Can I please be the bunny?'" Sims said. "The costume is a little warm, but wearing it lets you be a child again. I love being the bunny."
Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since January 2013. A native of Concord, N.C., she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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