More than 200 Coasties received a treat on April 5 as an adult-sized Easter Bunny and its team of volunteers from the Mounties Group handed out goodies across the region.
Spreading joy to vulnerable children and the elderly, this year’s Mounties Bunny Run visited Alino Living aged care facilities Lake Haven Court, Killarney Court, Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC Hostel and Adelene Village as well as the Gosford Hospital Ronald McDonald Family Room.
The annual staff tradition has been held now for 32 years and sees club directors and staff visit local disability organisations, hospices, schools and aged care facilities with the Easter Bunny and exciting themed treats and gifts.
As newer clubs to the Mounties Group family, this was the second year that the Mounties teams from Club Wyong, Halekulani Bowling Club and Breakers Country Club took part in the giving back initiative.
“The Mounties Bunny Run has to be one of the best days on our calendar as it brings so much joy to us as volunteers and those who we visit,” Marketing Executive for Mounties Group’s Central Coast venues Kain Barnett said.
“The young and young at heart are always so excited to see the Easter Bunny and even the older aged care residents are beaming with smiles to see our special visitors.”
The Mounties Bunny Run was created by a staff member back in 1991 with the goal of giving back to those less abled in the community.
“Mounties staff member Maria Pullen came up with the idea more than three decades ago after noticing kids and adults within Mounties venues that had special needs and disabilities,” Barnett said.
“Maria went out of her way to find ways to help these people and give back to local hospitals, schools and special needs organisations.
“Fundraising via bar collections and staff activities, Maria drove her very own car for the first Bunny Run to distribute gifts to Liverpool Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and Westmead Hospital.”
Since then, the Mounties Bunny Run has successfully expanded across three regions.
“Our teams greet and hand out gifts to the children during the Bunny Run and either provide Easter eggs or plush toy Easter bunnies to those within each location,” Barnett said.
“It’s always such a highlight and thrill to be involved in these Bunny Runs and this year once again, it was nice to add some face to face positivity to these locals who like many, have had a very tough few years.”
Source:
Mounties Group