BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

Rescue Ranch Director of Community Relations, Partnerships and Development Maureen Moore was a little surprised when a group of six adults arrived for the nonprofit’s inaugural Bunnies and Brunch event on Saturday.

After all, the event was geared toward children with the chance to meet some of the Ranch’s bunnies and to create rabbit-related crafts.

But for the family of Marie Pyka, it was the perfect way to celebrate her 80th birthday. And the rest of the attendees joined in to sing “Happy Birthday.”

Pyka’s daughter, Tracey Vail, said she and her siblings, some of whom came from West Virginia and Virginia, decided a trip to the Bunnies and’ Brunch event was the perfect way to celebrate their mother’s birthday.

“She loves animals and Rescue is right up her alley,” Vail said. “I saw this and thought this is going to be perfect.”

“I’m thrilled,” Pyka said.

Pyka and her family were among more than 220 people who signed up for the first Bunnies and Brunch.

The idea for the event was to give families the opportunity to visit the ranch, Moore explained.

“We wanted to do something to get families out to the Ranch,” she said.

Rescue Ranch Founder and President Krissie Newman said it was nice to see the parking lot full of vehicles.

For Jessica and Joe Burns and their 2-year-old daughter, Willow Grace, it was their first visit to the Ranch. They drove in from Mint Hill for the event. Jessica is a Statesville native so they were familiar with the nonprofit. “We’ve driven by it many times,” Joe Burns said.

The event included a breakfast provided by IHOP of Statesville but the main attractions were the Ranch’s many rabbits.

Volunteers Lesley Smith and Maddie Hess removed various bunnies from their cages, and talked to the children and parents about each particular rabbit and their care.

Four-year-old Scarlett Petovic carefully petted one of the rabbits as her mother, Kelsey, watched. “She loves all animals,” she said.

Carson Thomas, who is almost 2, also took a turn petting one of the bunnies. Leigh Brown, who was carrying Carson through the bunny room, said this event gave him a chance to see different animals.

“It’s a chance for him to see live animals beside his dog,” she said.

Bunnies and Brunch ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with seatings every 30 minutes.

In addition to the main feature, the bunnies, the children could visit the book nook, make rabbit-themed crafts and color rabbit-themed pictures.

Moore said the overwhelming response to the first Bunnies and Brunch was a good sign for hosting future events of this type to introduce more people to the mission and animals at the Rescue Ranch.

“This is wonderful,” she said.

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