April 20, 2019

A bunch of bunnies enchanted young patients, parents and personnel at Chester County Hospital on Friday, April 19, 2019.

For more than a decade, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with the hospital to spread cheer during the Easter season. This year’s bunnies included a 5-foot-6,  cuddly costumed version, a basket of stuffed animals, and Chester County Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh.

Cpl. Brad DeSando, the event organizer , said the initiative is always well-received and brings out the inner child of whichever deputy gets to wear the costume. He said this year’s rabbit, Deputy Sheriff Marian “My” Inderelst , hopped on the opportunity with great enthusiasm. Her assistant, Deputy Sheriff Kevin Skymba, wore the costume a couple of years ago and was equally eager to participate again.

Before the Easter Bunny even exited the Sheriff’s Office vehicle, she elicited wows from the valet parking staff, who immediately lined up to get selfies. “I’m from Africa,” one worker exclaimed. “You don’t see this sort of thing there.”

Welsh escorted the Easter Bunny and her basket-toting assistant into the hospital. Within seconds, they received a warm reception from staffers, visitors and patients.  One mother  from Downingtown had two children in the emergency room. “This is the best ER visit we’ve ever had,” she said.

Welsh has good reason to love the event. Her grandfather’s pet name for her as a child became a life-long moniker. But she didn’t create the program. A Florida couple, Sam and Eleanor Meiner,  founded Easter Bunny, Inc. in 1995, receiving 501 (c)(3) status in 2001.

The Meiners quickly realized that sheriff’s offices could help them extend their goal of putting a sparkle in children’s eyes across the country, and they began soliciting partnerships at the national Sheriff’s Conference in Washington D.C. in 2004. Chester County signed on and began the program the following year, joining hundreds of sheriffs’ offices and police departments nationwide.

In addition to eliciting glee from young patients and new parents, Welsh said the reception from hospital personnel also makes the experience special.

“Many of the adults get just as excited as the kids,” Welsh said. “It’s so fun to watch everyone’s reactions and see the smiles the visit brings. The joy is ageless.”